We believe that in order to be good stewards of the Vipassana Community Foundation’s dana/resources, it is important to have a deeply dedicated volunteer board and staff.

Our board is comprised of 11 members: 10 senior teachers and one old student. The day-to-day operations of VCF are run by three old students, as well as other volunteers.

Additionally, in 2021 VCF launched a Council of Advisors, which helps provide further guidance on VCF’s international grantmaking. If you are interested in joining the Council of Advisors, please email us at: info@vcf.dhamma.org.

OUR VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS

  • Parker Mills: Board President

  • Dawn Branam: Board Vice President

  • Richard Crutcher: Treasurer

  • Daniel Dodd: Secretary

  • Arthur Nichols: Board Member

  • John Beary: Board Member

  • Matt Iverson: Board Member

  • Neha Shroff: Board Member

  • Nilendu Jani: Board Member

  • Oscar Lalo: Board Member

  • Praveen Krishnamurthy: Board Member

  • Rahul Vaid: Board Member

  • Suzanna de Baca: Board Member

Our STAFF Members and Volunteers

VCF is supported by a small, dedicated team serving old students, centers, and non-centers. To get in contact with any staff member or volunteer, please email: info@vcf.dhamma.org

  • Charmaine helps support the overall strategy of VCF as well as serves as the main liaison for old student dana that might flow to your center or non-center.

  • Checo will help facilitate the flow of dana to your center. Due to U.S. regulations, all dana that VCF sends internationally is provided as a grant. Checo will guide your center through each step of this process, from the initial form to the final report on how the dana was used.

  • Gen works to ensure that dana reaches your center securely and efficiently. Should any transfer issues arise, she will work directly with your team to find a solution. Gen also supports old students who wish to give through various means, such as donor-advised funds or other complex assets.

  • Silviu is your contact for communications and web support. He can assist with setting up dedicated webpages for centers, creating printable materials, and integrating international payment options. He also helps share stories of Dhamma service from centers like yours through the VCF blog, social media, and newsletters.

initial Council of Advisors

  • Suleka Puswella: for Sri Lanka-related grantmaking

  • Roy Menezes: for Sri Lanka-related grantmaking

  • Ahbhijit Bhabhe: for India-related grantmaking (VCF India Committee)

  • Sudhir Pai: for India-related grantmaking (VCF India Committee)

  • Martin Stephens: for Europe-related grantmaking (VCF Europe and Middle East Committee)

  • David Lander: for Europe-related grantmaking (VCF Europe and Middle East Committee)

  • Mrinmohee Parikh: Finance-related advice

  • Steve Koenig: Financial Investment advice

  • Kevin Nash: Legal support/advice