- Jamyang Buddhist Centre
- Education Team
- Communication Team
- Community Team
- Facilities Co-ordinators
- Science and Wisdom Live
- Trustees
Jamyang Buddhist Centre
Geshe Tenzin Namdak
Resident Teacher
About
After completing his university studies in Hydrology, Geshe Namdak worked as an environmental researcher in the Netherlands. He began studying Buddhism at Maitreya Institute and was eventually ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama before completing the 20-year Geshe degree at Sera Jey monastic university in India, as well as the traditional one-year Vajrayana study program at Gyume Tantric College. Geshe Namdak is also a Part-time Tutor at the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford, and delivers courses on Buddhist Mind Science in this dept.
Ven. Thubten Drolma
Executive Director
About
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.
Education Team
Ven. Lobsang Wangyal
Spiritual Programme Coordinator
About
Ven. Wangyel joined Jamyang in 2019 as Centre Manager, before moving into the role of Spiritual Programme Coordinator. He manages the spiritual education courses and events, and he is currently also a student on the Basic Programme, a 5-year course in Buddhist philosophy and practice.
Freddie Jenkins
Assistant SPC
About
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.
Jackie Yip
Basic Program Coordinator
About
A long-standing member of the Jamyang Community, and a student of Serme Khen Rinpoche, Jackie supports our Basic Programme students engaged in long term study with Geshe Namdak.
Ven. Konchok
Video Editor
About
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.
Jess Plumb
Gompa Keeper
About
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.
Roy Sutherwood
Facilitator
About
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.
Communication Team
Paul Wells
Sanctuary Project and Communications Manager
About
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’.
Nadja Korner
Social Media
About
Nadja is an Exploring Buddhism student at Jamyang London Buddhist Centre. She wishes to repay the kindness she received at the centre by volunteering remotely. She helps with social media and creates content about meditation, mindfulness and events happening at Jamyang Buddhist Centre.
Nadja has worked in the field of communications for Non-Profit organisations for several years. She is also in her third year of a BSc in Integrative Healthcare. In the academic setting, she merges her understanding of Buddhism, especially the practice of compassion, with traditional medicine and helping others through physical and mental difficulties.
She also writes self-help books that have exercises with the hope to benefit others with meditation and mindfulness as well as teaching the practices in communities throughout Scotland.
Dion Rezki
Graphics
About
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Dom Briggs
Web Developer
About
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Vinna Law
Video Editor
About
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Mircea Lupescu
Photographer
About
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.
Curiosity about the nature of the mind has led him to be a student of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre and enrol in multiple courses with Geshe Tenzin Namdak.
Having been a resident volunteer at the centre, Mircea is now a Photographer for Jamyang London and an Online Editing volunteer with Science and Wisdom LIVE.
Lewis Gwilt
Blog Writer
About
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.
Michael Lobsang Tenpa
Blog Writer
About
Michael Lobsang Tenpa is a Tibetan Buddhist translator, meditation instructor, Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB) teacher and student of EcoDharma. Born in Siberia, he earned BA and MA degrees in South Asian studies, worked in social media and eventually received ordination in Nepal, spending nine years as a Tibetan Buddhist monastic before switching to the path of a lay scholar/practitioner. In addition to years of Buddhist studies and translator work, he also trained as a secular ethics and mindfulness instructor in the Netherlands, the UK and the US.
Community Team
Ven. Barbara Shannon
FPMT UK Coordinator
About
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.
Cynthia Koontz
House Lead
About
Cynthia has been offering service at Dharma centres and spiritual organisations for many years, including serving as Director at Vajrapani in California. Cynthia takes care of our volunteer team and helps in coordinating our community spaces and activities.
Business and Admin Manager
About
Maria has a background in psychology dedicated to creating social impact. Originally from Mexico, she has extensive experience coordinating volunteers and leading workshops in non-profit organisations. She has a passion for hospitality, specializing in managing short-term accommodations. Through her work at Jamyang, she hopes to continue making a positive difference in people’s lives.
HR Manager
About
Lucia joined the Jamyang Buddhist Centre team part-time in April 2024 as HR Manager. She has just started studying the new ‘Exploring Buddhism’ course led by Geshe Namdak.
Margaret Jailler
Courtyard Cafe Team
About
Margaret began as a day volunteer at Jamyang London in 2016 but, after a few months, took up the split post of administrator and café worker. She now works as a Courtyard Cafe Team.
Jyoti Shah
Bookkeeper
About
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.
Facilities Co-ordinators
Liz Price
Facilitator
About
Liz joined Jamyang Buddhist Centre as a volunteer in October 2022. She is an accredited coach and experienced group facilitator. She now facilitates the Climate Cafe.
Carla Calimani
Community Yoga Facilitator
About
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.
Judy Watchman
Yoga Facilitator
About
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.
Jo Backus
Inter-Faith Coordinator
About
Jo represents Jamyang London Buddhist Centre, sitting on the committee of the Network of Buddhist Organisations and contributing to their activities.
Science and Wisdom Live
Mikkel Kristiansen
Acting Director
Sajda van der Leeuw
Project Manager
About
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.
Matt McArthur
Project Manager
Fabiana Lotito
Project Manager
Trustees
Alison Murdoch
Chair
About
Alison Murdoch is a dedicated student of Buddhism and a passionate advocate for kindness and connection. She runs The Good Heart café in Frome, a unique space designed to inspire compassionate action within the local community.
Alison has been deeply involved in the global Buddhist community for many years, serving on the boards of the FPMT and the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, and working with the Foundation for Developing Wisdom and Compassion. She also leads retreats at Land of Joy, where she shares her knowledge and supports others in deepening their practice.
As a trustee, Alison brings her hands-on experience and a deep commitment to Jamyang’s vision, helping to ensure it remains a vibrant and welcoming space for all.
Jan Andersen
Deputy
About
Jan has worked in IT Operations in the Energy Industry for over 15 years and has been a student at Jamyang since 2002. He has volunteered for the centre in many ways over the years including currently as Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees and also as a Teaching Assistant supporting the FPMT Basic Programme at the centre
Robin Bath
Trustee
About
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‘.
Pempa Samuels
Trustee
About
She is a primary school teacher and is passionate about teaching children and supporting them to become independent thinkers. She was general secretary of the Tibetan Community for Britain and board member of the Young Tibetan Education Club. She has a special interest in supporting Jamyang by carrying out youth outreach and building bridges with the Tibetan community. Jamyang Buddhist centre has been her spiritual home in the UK. She feels honoured to be a part of the Jamyang board and support the centre on its journey to help all sentient beings.
Media Maya
Trustee
About
Media works as a Project Manager within the Telecoms industry. Alongside that she teaches mindfulness meditation online and in-person. She is currently pursuing a Diploma in body-based coaching at The Somatic School.
She spent a number of years travelling and studying yoga, meditation and the contemplative traditions in India, Nepal and Thailand. She has a keen interest in understanding the nature of the mind and reality.
Media is a student on the 5-year Basic Programme at the Jamyang centre. She also supports the project Science and Wisdom Live.
Nick Holzinger
Trustee & Treasurer
About
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.
Derek Germon
Company Secretary
About
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.
Andrew Stark
Finance Committee
About
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.
