President, Jeff DeLisio 

I have been a student of Buddhism since the 1970s, and with many traditions and teachers, but rarely have the teachings appeared so clear and concise, so readily put into practice, as those I have received from Shaila Catherine. Finding this teacher and this sangha in the heart of Silicon Valley has been a gift. The gentle, but strong and genuine support of the people who meditate together at IMSB creates an ideal environment for cultivating wisdom and kindness. I have served IMSB as a member of the building committee and by managing the sound system and set up for the day longs. Now I help with a variety of projects and serve in the capacity as Board President. It has simply been a joy to be involved with IMSB – I hope others will join us in this important work.

Co–Treasurer, Ed Haertel

I have maintained a daily meditation practice for over 25 years and have attended many retreats with Shaila. I’ve been active in IMSB since its beginning in 2006, and have served as IMSB’s treasurer since 2008. I also co-host the IMSB sutta study course in my home. Before retiring in 2013, I was a professor of educational testing and assessment at Stanford University.

Co–Treasurer, Vanessa P. Hinton

I was introduced to meditation in Bodh Gaya, India in the mid-90’s. Since then I’ve maintained a strong interest in Buddhism and have continued my commitment to personal growth. In 2013, I moved to the Bay Area and took the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course at Stanford. Looking for sangha to support me in my practice, I found IMSB shortly thereafter and have been a part of the community ever since. I am particularly drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of Buddhism and am continually inspired by its applicability and relevancy to all aspects of life.

Board Member, Cris Tulloch

I began my Buddhist practice in 2010 in the Mahayana tradition; once I found Insight Meditation South Bay, I realized that Theravada practice is my spiritual home. After attending regularly for a while, I began my volunteer work with IMSB by coordinating a talk and book signing special event with a guest teacher. I’ve been glad to offer dana, both through donations and volunteering, as a way to reciprocate for these profound teachings that have been freely offered. The teachings of the Buddha, my meditation practice and volunteer efforts have enriched my daily life and given me a sense of serenity and wellness. My study and practice over several years with the brahmavihārās, particularly mettā, have been profound and have allowed me to find more ease in this world. I am beyond grateful.

Principal Teacher, Shaila Catherine

I love the dhamma of awakening and am honored to be able to share the liberating teachings of the Buddha with people who are moved to explore their own minds. IMSB is a community built on trust and nurtured by volunteer efforts. In addition to serving as founder, principal teacher, board member, and programs coordinator, I frequently work with volunteers on myriad IMSB projects, enjoying the generosity and engagement of our community. You can read more about my work on the Principal Teacher page.

Sharon Allen, Saratoga Program Director, and Volunteer Coordinator

Like any non-profit organization, Buddhist centers require the active participation of volunteers. Because I understand the importance of volunteers, I am pleased to hold several volunteer positions for IMSB. Currently I coordinate the volunteers for IMSB’s programs in Saratoga; I work with Shaila to develop the Thursday Classroom Program; I teach mindfulness and dhamma classes; and I am one of several volunteers who serve as greeters, announcers, and set-up helpers. Volunteering is a wonderful way to get to know other sangha members better. To me, volunteering feels like an act of kindness for those who count on what IMSB has to offer.

Katrina Bergbauer, Retreat Registrar

I first became acquainted with IMSB at a retreat at the Quaker Center in 2011.  I was thoroughly taken with that experience and especially the kindness of the other people I met.  I remember thinking how nice it might be to be involved with IMSB as a volunteer. I’m so very grateful to IMSB for supporting my practice in so many ways, and volunteering gives me a chance to express my thanks.

Dianne Dec, Communications Volunteer

As a communications volunteer, I oversee IMSB’s social media presence on Twitter, Facebook and MeetUp. I commute from Mountain View to San Francisco for my job as COO/CFO at Hosfelt Gallery. I began meditation practice in 2012 when I started attending IMSB’s Tuesday evening sittings; although I’m a relative newcomer to meditation, I am deeply grateful for the support of the sangha, the transformative teachings of Shaila Catherine, and the profound blessings of the practice.

Claire, Saratoga Registar

I began attending IMSB in 2010 seeking balance in my busy life of raising children and running my own law practice. The sangha has offered me everything I’d hoped for and so much more. Volunteering has helped me feel more connected with the community and I really enjoy contributing to such a wonderful organization. I’ve written articles for the newsletter, and my current role is registrar for the Thursday evening Dhamma Classroom in Saratoga. It’s very rewarding and I feel so glad to be a part of the IMSB family.

Jennifer Dungan, Newcomer Orientation Lead 

I began attending IMSB programs from its first day in Mountain View and have been involved ever since. In addition to offering an occasional Dharma talk, I lead regular monthly orientations for people new to IMSB, periodically organize guest speaker series, and help with Tuesday evening announcements and room set-up. I have also helped coordinate the Walking the Path program.

Lori Topley, Facility Team Manager

I began practicing at IMSB in 2010, pursuing an interest in learning more about meditation practices after attending several Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction classes. I appreciate having IMSB near where I live and work, allowing me to regularly attend the Tuesday night meditation. To help keep IMSB available to everyone, I volunteer as the facility lead, coordinating room set-up for regular and special events.

Corey Sobel, Website Manager

I am IMSB’s website manager. I help keep the event calendar up to date, and coordinate with volunteers to continuously improve and add new content to our website. I moved to the Bay Area in 2015 and currently live and work in Mountain View. I turned to meditation at the end of 2016 as a way to keep myself grounded and to cope with an uncertain and impermanent world. I started attending IMSB in February of 2018 as a way to better understand the Dharma and to join a community that can support one another in our spiritual growth.