Paru Desai - Executive Director

Paru Desai’s work has focused on organizations that foster community-based solutions to tackle equity, systemic injustice and development both in East Africa and in the Bay Area of Northern California. She is certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher (Class of 2021). She is the mother of two daughters who are just launching themselves into the adult world.

James Baraz - Advisor

James discovered mindfulness meditation and Buddhist philosophy in 1974 and this was a turning point in his life. He started practicing in earnest as a way to find an inner peace that he longed for and to ease a mind that was so filled with confusion, insecurity and self-judgment. He realized he had found something that was miraculously leading him toward more genuine well-being and happiness. James has been a meditation teacher since 1978 and leads retreats, workshops and classes in the U.S and abroad.

He is a co-founding Teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA and also leads the Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (IMCB). He is a Guiding Teacher for One Earth Sangha, a website devoted to expressing a Buddhist response to Climate Change. He is creator and teacher of the Awakening Joy course, since 2003, and co-author of Awakening Joy, the book based on the course.

James lives in Berkeley, California with his wife, Jane. and two sons and three grandchildren. “Ever since I discovered the power of mindfulness practices and principles in my own life, my vision has been to share them with others, not only for their own personal benefit, but as a way to bring more consciousness to humanity and our planet. As a friend says, “We’re in a race between fear and consciousness. I believe that consciousness is stronger than fear and it is a joyful responsibility to awaken consciousness as much as we can in the world at this time. I invite you to see the Awakening Joy course in that context.”

Jack Kornfield - Advisor

Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. After graduating from Dartmouth College in Asian Studies in 1967 he joined the Peace Corps and worked on tropical medicine teams in the Mekong River valley. He met and studied as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma.

Returning to the United States, Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. Over the years, Jack has taught in centers and universities worldwide, led International Buddhist Teacher meetings, and worked with many of the great teachers of our time. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a father, husband and activist.

His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. They include, A Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology, A Path with Heart; After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; Teachings of the Buddha; Seeking the Heart of Wisdom; Living Dharma; A Still Forest Pool; Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart; Buddha’s Little Instruction Book; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness and Peace, Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are, and his most recent book, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are

Tara Brach - Advisor

Tara Brach is a meditation teacher, psychologist and author of several books including international bestselling Radical Acceptance, Radical Compassion and Trusting the Gold. Her popular weekly podcast on emotional healing, spiritual awakening and compassion-based activism is downloaded more than 3 million times each month.

Tara is founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington and has been active in bringing meditation into schools, prisons and underserved populations. Along with Jack Kornfield, she leads the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP), serving diverse participants from 74 countries around the world. Tara’s teachings blend Western psychology and Eastern spiritual practices, mindful attention to our inner life, and a dedication to creating a more just, equitable and loving world.

Susan Colpitts - Board Chair

Susan Colpitts is an active community volunteer, meditation teacher and advocate, entrepreneur, and a retired CPA and wealth manager. She is certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher (Class of 2021). Susan and her husband Norman enjoy residing in both Norfolk and on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. They have three daughters who have successfully left the nest and reside in Richmond, Birmingham, AL and Urbana, IL.

Alan Vann Gardner

Alan’s mindfulness practices of meditation, aikido/tai chi/qi gong date back to the late 1970s. Recently retired from 40 years of full-time service as elementary/middle school principal where he brought mindfulness practices to thousands of students, staff, families; Alan now coaches and mentors school leaders and teams; helping promote kindness, belonging, engagement, collaboration, well-being and success. Alan is a  6th degree black belt and senior teacher at Two Rock Aikido Dojo in his hometown of Petaluma (San Francisco Bay Area). He has traveled abroad sharing this martial art of harmony and reconciliation to bridge differences and foster friendship and connection as a form of citizen diplomacy and cultural exchange. Alan takes additional joy as a father, husband, friend, in being in community with others on this path with heart.

Gen Heng

Gen (C ’21) is a Mindfulness teacher and Insight Dialogue facilitator based in Hong Kong. Since graduating in 2021, she has been offering Mindfulness courses, short retreats and Insight Dialogue offerings to a wide range of on-land and online communities spanning the Buddhist, secular, LGBTQIA+ and corporate/not for profit spaces. She was part of the initial working group which laid the groundwork for the Alumni Association. 

Ingrid Ducmanis

Ingrid Ducmanis is a creative director, writer, brand consultant, and certified meditation teacher (MMTCP Class of 2023). She is a passionate mindfulness ambassador, focused on empowering people to show up as their authentic selves, especially in the workplace, and helping teams explore the powerful relationships between mindfulness, resilience and creativity. In her free time, Ingrid enjoys painting and travel. She lives in New York City and is parent to a nonbinary teen, a tabby cat and a pigeon.

Keith Mutch

Keith Mutch is a meditation teacher and coach. Keith led and was a member of many information technology teams, culminating his tech career with several years in clinical research. Along the way, he served on and/or consulted to several boards of directors. Keith and his wife Jen live near Portland, Oregon.

Robert Glavan

Robert initially pursued a path of science, delving into the building blocks of life in the field of molecular biology. It was one fateful night in 2008 when he suddenly realized that what is profoundly meaningful is studying the scientist himself—the subject of experience. He has since dedicated himself to exploring the inner workings of the mind and what it means to live an examined life in both Eastern and Western philosophical, psychological, and mystical traditions. Through meditation, contemplation, and experimentation, it has become apparent that these diverse systems of thought and practice converge in non-duality—the natural peaceful harmony of simply “what is.” In his various roles as a human relations specialist, systemic coach, conflict mediator, and mindfulness teacher (Class of 2023), Robert follows the overarching vision of co-creating safe spaces of authentic connection and meaningful growth.

Susan Beckman Reagan

Susan Beckman Reagan earned a Master of Arts degree with doctoral studies from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher (MMTCP, January 2021), a graduate of the Mindfulness Mentor Training (MMT, June 2022), an IMTA Certified Mindfulness Teacher – Professional Level (CMT-P), and a Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. In addition, she has been a meditator for over 30 years. Her passion lies at the intersection of mindfulness and self-care. Susan seeks to make the world a better place by inspiring others to lead healthier, more joyful lives through mindful living. 

For more information about Susan, please visit: www.susanbeckmanreagan.com