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 retired (since 2023) from the Energy industry where his job involved frequent travel and long periods away from home.  He is happy to have the time now to deepen 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. 

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

Jonathan Elmergreen lives in Milwaukee and is the executive director of the Christine Center, an inter spiritual and interfaith retreat center and residential community in Willard, WI.  He has a rich history of leading nonprofits and working with universities, foundations, and boards. 

Jonathan received a BS in Sociology from UW–Madison and an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on nonprofit management, systems, and leadership. 

His spiritual background is rooted in Zen Buddhism, the Mohican Native American tradition, and Christianity. 

He did jukai (lay ordination) with Reirin Seisho Gumbel. In the Plum Village Tradition, he has taken the Five Mindfulness Trainings and is an aspirant for the Order of Interbeing. 

Board Secretary

Erin is an artist and educator, currently pursuing a masters degree in clinical mental health and expressive arts therapy. She has practiced with MZC since 2022 and is grateful for the dedication of this community for helping her in her spiritual growth. Erin spends her free time in the wilderness hiking and paddling with her dog and partner.

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.