Symposium Panelists: Who They Are
Christiane Baud, Ph.D. is a Mindfulness Meditation teacher-in-training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and has had a meditation practice for 12 years. She currently teaches yoga and meditation inside the Dallas county jail. Christiane’s doctoral work and early career started in neurobiology laboratories studying the molecular basis and biological roles of bioelectricity. Over the next 20 years she pursued a career in the pharmaceutical industry developing and managing clinical trials. She is currently enrolled in the PhD program for Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University in Palo Alto with a focus on the neuroscience of mind and consciousness. She is a scientist at heart who values the empirical approach of carrying out experiments to test hypotheses that can move a field forward cumulatively in a validated way. She equally values contemplative approaches and the interplay that emerges when these different perspectives are combined. Her research interests are in contemplative neuroscience, asking how contemplative practices create lasting change in personality and character. Christiane also practices Zen meditation with the MKZC.
Sandy Guancial has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Ohio State University and completed a Masters degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. In the late 80’s Sandy was invited to become a member of Contemplative Outreach in New England and participated in retreats and workshops on Contemplative Spirituality. In 1999, she completed certification to do Spiritual Direction from the Mercy Center in Colorado. Sandy presents workshops on Centering Prayer and the practice of Lectio Divina. At this time she facilitates three Contemplative Prayer groups in Dallas. Sandy is an Oblate of St. Benedict at the Forest of Peace Monastery in Sand Springs, OK. She enjoys doing Spiritual Direction and companioning others on their journey of faith.
Kay A Lisch, Ph.D. founded the ComPro Group, Inc. in 1990 to be a catalyst for bringing people into balance and companies into alignment. Her mission is to guide individuals, teams and organizations to engage their work with wisdom and compassion to create benefit for others. Kay’s focus is an ongoing study of Buddhism, psychology and social transformation. Kay and her husband Jerry founded two centers for Tibetan Buddhism, KTC Columbus in 1976 and KTC Dallas in 1980 which continue to provide meditation instruction and practice for thousands of students. Currently, Kay serves on the Boards of Thanksgiving Square facilitating interfaith activities and Our Friends Place helping women transition from foster care to independent living. She is a dedicated senior dharma student of Lama Dudjom Dorjee at KTC Dallas. Kay has practiced and taught yoga, meditation, and mind body practices for over 40 years. Kay’s current passions are: conscious leadership, mitigating climate change, longevity & conscious dying, ecstatic dance, compassionate care giving, interfaith collaboration, women’s development, mind-body health, and youth leadership.
Lee Ann Nail, an award winning narrative therapist and licensed master social worker, was the founding president of the Maria Kannon Zen Center.
She was certified as an equine assisted psychotherapist by the founder of the field in 2016 and is engaged in a two year apprenticeship with the director of Dynamic Energetic Healing International. Lee Ann has a background in nonprofit fundraising (Chicago Summer Music Festival & Dallas Opera) and has served on the board of numerous Zen centers. After 27 years of formal Zen study, she was appointed a Zen teacher by Ruben Habito in 2012. She currently leads the Salem Zen Center, presents regularly at the International Lay Buddhist Forum and serves children with autism at the Horses, Adaptive Riding and Therapy Center.
Bobbie Perkins is a teacher, amateur musician and aspirant to Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing. She currently serves as one of the directors for Awakening Heart Community of Mindful Living and the Dallas Meditation Center. In that capacity, she teaches meditation workshops, facilitates meditation classes, oversees the office and assists in the planning of special events. Bobbie joined the staff at the Dallas Meditation Center in 2011 and worked closely with the founder, Brother ChiSing, until his death in 2016. With his encouragement, she established a Wednesday night group that meets to meditate together and study the works of Thich Nhat Hanh and other contemporary spiritual teachers. Bobbie enjoys writing haiku poems, drawing mandalas and reading – activities that align beautifully with her intent to continually deepen her capacity to live mindfully. The dharma name give to her by Thich Nhat Hanh is “Pure Expression of the Heart”.