President

Greg York discovered the Milwaukee Zen Center in 2017 and immediately felt the community's comfort and wisdom, inspiring him to find ways to become more involved and more focused on his spiritual path. In between careers, Greg produces a podcast called Appreciation Nation and spends time writing, developing a life coaching and mindfulness teaching practice, playing handpan and managing the finances for a small business he co-owns in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking, hiking and traveling with his family.

Vice President & Treasurer

Bill has been practicing Buddhism since 1998. Bill has lived and practiced in many places since then, settling in the Milwaukee area in 2018. He is newly retired (July 2023) from the Energy industry where his job involved frequent travel and long periods away from home.  He is looking forward to having the time now to deepening his practice and being more involved with the Milwaukee Zen Center.  Besides his practice, Bill is an avid bookworm, as well as a lover of nature and the great outdoors. 

Secretary

Eli Lu (they/them) started practicing Soto Zen at the Milwaukee Zen Center in 2022 after years of mindfulness practice, motivated to do the internal work that collective liberatoration depends on under the guidance of an experienced teacher and in community with like minded friends. A cultural producer integrating media and design, Eli also has decades of experience in community organizing, and they find joy in the outdoors (surfing, climbing, cycling) --especially with their kid.

Member at Large

Fay grew up attending Guzeiji Soto Mission on Molokai, Hawaii, and started practicing zazen in Wisconsin during the Covid pandemic. A former college professor for 20 years, she now works in higher ed administration. Occasionally she travels, seeking distant places where English is not the primary language.

Member at Large

I am a retired teacher. I taught emotionally disturbed adolescents for 31 years. I lived in Milwaukee for my whole life. I graduated from UWMadison in Chemical Engineering. I have been interested in Buddhism for many years and look forward to getting be acquainted with all the members.

Member at Large

Kellett came to Soto Zen through reading (over and over) Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Suzuki Roshi. In addition to Zen practice, he has been a practicing disability attorney for thirty-five years, where he tries to meld the two practices to generate compassion toward his clients. When not studying dharma, he enjoys reading history and traveling with his wife, Jodi.

Member at Large

Randy has been a student of Zen for over 10 years and enjoys the Milwaukee Zen Center community.  He has worked on various non-profit boards for 25 years, as well as various business leadership roles throughout his 40 year career. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, traveling and restoring Wisconsin lands to their native plant habitats.