John first encountered Buddhism in middle school when he randomly picked a book on Buddhism off the school library shelf. This was followed by reading Hesse’s Siddhartha. Years later while finishing his Master’s Degree in Architecture at the University of Oregon, he encountered Kalu Rinpoche and took refuge with him in 1983. John first came to KCC in 1986 but left for a long stretch to live in Chile and grow a family. He returned to KCC in 2007 and has served on the Board since 2014.
Now retired, Doug worked as a psychologist for over 30 years, mostly at various branches of Oregon State Hospital. In addition to working as a psychotherapist and treatment team member, he coordinated and edited a patient newspaper there for about 15 years. In 2010 he stumbled into the Portland Shambhala Center where his skepticism about a spiritual path was slowly transformed into positive engagement and gratitude for teachings received. Seeking more traditional and accessible Buddhist teachers, he began attending KCC in 2017 and is currently a student of Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche as well. He became a Board member in 2020.
Marci Roth has been a Buddhist practitioner and a KCC sangha member since 2001. She is a psychotherapist and a parent to three adult children (all of whom attended the Children’s Program when they were little beings). Her other passions include photography, making art, backpacking, hiking, and x-country skiing.
Marci has volunteered with KCC in many capacities over the years, including serving on the Harmony Council and the Board of Directors. She has also served as one of KCC’s photographers to document the small and big moments in the spiritual community.
She seeks and finds spiritual riches in the Great Outdoors in addition to sitting on the cushion.
Ryan was drawn to Buddhism and meditation on first exposure in college but only began developing a stable meditation practice years later during travels and meditation retreats in Asia. He began volunteering at KCC after arriving in Portland in 2013, and he coordinated KCC retreats, events and communications from 2014 until he moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 2017. Ryan managed operations at Tergar Madison for over two years and now works at a reputable biotech company. He has continued to assist with KCC media and retreats where possible and is excited to offer service on the Board.
Jennifer started attending KCC in January 2018 having been interested in dharma since her early 20s. She took refuge on January 1 2019 and attended the Mahamudra seminar in the fall of 2019. Jennifer helped bring the KCC library to fruition, managed the redevelopment of the KCC website and enjoys being an active member of KCC’s Dharma Digger gardening group.
Jennifer is a Kansas native and a graduate of the University of Kansas. Her 20 year career in the Federal government was as an emergency planner and responder for the US Army Corps of Engineers. “Prodding the bureaucracy to move smarter and faster” is the simplest way to describe her role in disaster response. She hopes her experience as a civil servant will help her serve the KCC community and all sentient beings.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, John went to law school and worked as an attorney in New York City before moving to Portland in 2007 with his wife, Shelley, and son, Emmett. John and Shelley began attending KCC Sunday morning meditations in 2011, while Emmett participated in the KCC Children’s Program. John and Shelley took refuge with Lama Michael Conklin in 2012 and volunteered as teachers in the Children’s Program in 2013-14. John has participated in several KCC retreats, attended KCC’s annual Mahamudra seminar in 2019, and has taken personal retreats at SCOL.John also served for 10 years on the Board of Outside In, a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center supporting homeless youth and marginalized populations. John has been a practicing trial lawyer for 20 years, helping clients resolve business disputes and government investigations, most recently with K&L Gates.