JAMYANG - Key Persons
Alison was Director of Jamyang London from 1994-2004 during the years that the charity purchased and converted The Old Courthouse into a Buddhist centre. She was subsequently the founding director of the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) where she was co-author of the 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life book and app. Alison sat on the FPMT Inc. board of directors for nearly ten years and is currently a director of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. She is a Basic Programme graduate and teaching assistant, recently edited the book Lamrim Year, and runs a small centre called The Good Heart in her home town of Frome, Somerset.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Member of the Finance Committee
- Trustee
Andrew joined the Jamyang London Buddhist Centre committee over the Summer 2022 after starting Discovering Buddhism earlier in the year. He has significant corporate experience at executive level in both finance and technology in multi-national settings. He is currently co-founder of a strategy and research consulting firm as well as a non-profit advocating for the over 50s.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Carla Calimani has practised yoga for over 20 years, and on Saturday mornings, she facilitates community yoga class for locals. These yoga classes are always free for Refugees.
Derek is the centre's Company Secretary and has over 15 years' experience in corporate governance and board support in the charity sector. He is happy to support the board of trustees of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre and help the centre fulfil its mission. Derek is a friend of Jamyang London, attends events at the centre and enjoys helping out in the garden.
Freddie joined Jamyang London in 2022 as Gateway Education Coordinator, and he is now assisting the Spiritual Programme Coordinator. In his work, he hopes to spread the teachings by promoting local community outreach and nurturing people's interest in the Dharma.
Job Titles:
- Basic Programme Co - Ordinator and Lama Liaison Officer
A long-standing member of the Jamyang Community, and a student of Serme Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering and Geshe Tenzin Namdak. Jackie has served Jamyang London, FDWC, and the FPMT for many years and in many different roles, including touring the world with the Maitreya Relic Tour, a collection of Buddhist relics. Currently, she is offering her service as Basic Programme co-ordinator and Lama Liaison at Jamyang.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Deputy
- Member of the Jamyang Community
Jan is a long-standing member of the Jamyang Community and a trustee of Jamyang Buddhist Centre. Over the years, he has studied and practiced Buddhism under many masters, including Serme Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering and Geshe Tenzin Namdak. He has received many precious teachings from different Buddhist teachers all over the world and he is currently also a Teaching Assistant on the Basic Programme, a 5-year course in Buddhist philosophy and practice.
Job Titles:
- Community Events Co - Ordinator
Jane first came to Jamyang in 1999 and has been a regular student and facilitator ever since. She oversees community programmes supporting carers, mindfulness for stress reduction courses, and school visits.
Jess began living and working in Dharma centres in 2017 and is now serving as a gompa keeper at Jamyang London Buddhist Centre (a role that she loves). She very much enjoys reading and attending teachings and is studying the Basic Programme.
Judy Watchman has been practising Yoga for 30 years and teaching at Jamyang London Buddhist Centre for more than 10 years. Judy is a British Wheel of Yoga accredited Satyananda Yoga teacher.
Jyoti is Jamyang London's Book Keeper and has been working with the community since 2020, her work is vital in ensuring Jamyang London Buddhist Centre thrives, and she brings great focus and joy to the team.
Keval came into contact with Tibetan Buddhism 19 years ago, and in particular with the Gelug tradition of Je Tsongkhapa. He has some bookkeeping qualifications and a law degree, and has spent the last 11 years working in the charity sector as both a fundraiser and a programme manager. He practices primarily in other Buddhist contexts now, but remains grateful for the first teachings he received, and hopes he can give back by supporting Jamyang as a trustee.
Lewis Gwilt is the official volunteer blog writer for Jamyang and Science & Wisdom LIVE, exploring science and contemplative traditions' practical value in understanding topics such as mindfulness and meditation, their relationship with mental health, ongoing issues in society, and identifying their solutions.
Lewis holds a BA in Social Psychology from Leeds Beckett University and an MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation from SOAS, University of London. He is also part of the library project at Jamyang London which focuses on digitising and preserving Dharma talks through converting cassette tape recordings to audio files.
His academic studies have served as an extension of his personal practice, formed from engaging with a number of traditions' teachings, of which Buddhism is a cornerstone. He is devoted to bridging the gaps contributing to overlooking the interconnectivity of traditions' ideas and practices and the sense of separation which is being reduced through dialogue. Lewis is driven by the prospect of their philosophies being more accessible, integrated into daily life, and cultivating peace.
Mircea is a British and Romanian citizen, he has worked in TV in the UK for the past ten years. He is passionate about photography and filmmaking, an avid traveller and hiker.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Finance Committee
- Treasurer
- Trustee
With his extensive (20+ years) international experience as a corporate and fund lawyer, economist, and chartered surveyor (FRICS), Nick supports Jamyang London Buddhist Centre as trustee and treasurer. He feels very grateful to have the chance to support Jamyang "a wonderful community for encounters and interconnections". Nick is also a student on the 5-year Basic Programme with Geshe Namdak.
Job Titles:
- Sanctuary Project Manager and Communications
Paul has been part of the Jamyang team since the beginning of 2021, offering service as a resident volunteer, and more recently as Operations Manager. He is now working as Sanctuary Project Manager and Communications and is a student of Geshe Namdak, currently studying the new ‘Exploring Buddhism'.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Trustee and Community Member of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre
Robin is a trustee and community member of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre since its debut. His presence as trustee was specifically requested by Lama Thubten Yeshe, one of the FPMT founders. Over the years, he supported the centre in infinite ways, as an artist, poet, and photographer. He is also the organiser of the ‘Jamyang Walks', the ‘Dying Well' meetings, and volunteers for the ‘Repaying the Kindness, Carers Group'. He recently published ‘Climate Change Children Voices‘.
Job Titles:
- Vajrogini Practice Group Coordinator
Roy Sutherwood is a former Trustee and Director of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre, and an FPMT recognised teacher. He has studied under masters of Buddhist philosophy and meditation for many years. He facilitates classes in Tibetan Buddhism at the Buddhist Society and is also a qualified teacher of secular Mindfulness techniques.
Job Titles:
- Contemplative Education Coordinator
Sajda joined Jamyang in 2020, is the Contemplative Education Coordinator, and the Project Manager of Science and Wisdom Live. She bridges contemplative practitioners and scientists/academics, promoting contemplative education. She is a current student of the 5-year Basic Programme in Buddhist Philosophy and Practice, led by Geshe Namdak.
Having volunteered for SciWiz and Meridan Trust, Ven. Konchok joined the residential volunteer team in 2021. He is currently offering service as Jamyang's tech assistant, helping ensure the Dharma reaches Jamyang students all around the world.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Finance Committee
Venerable Drolma - aka Fabienne Pradelle -joined as Executive Director in 2019. Jamyang London is where she first met Buddhism when in her twenties, so offering service here has been like coming home. Before London, Ven. Fabienne was Executive Director of Vajrapani Institute, an FPMT Retreat Centre in California, USA, where she spent 14 years. Through offering service, she is delighted to support the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Venerable Barbara Shannon, is the FPMT UK Coordinator and she facilitates the Death cafe at Jamyang London. She is a pillar of Jamyang London, being part of the community since the early days. In recognition of her important work, she was awarded by the Faiths Forum 2019 as an Inspirational Individual.