PIMC Board of Directors
Portland Insight Meditation Center is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors, and the current board is listed below. Board members serve three-year terms and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The board typically meets once a month, with additional meetings scheduled as needed. Meeting minutes are made available to the community. Have a question or suggestion? We welcome your input.
Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Shane began attending PIMC in 2016 and joined the board of directors in 2023. He is grateful for, and inspired by, all of the teachers, volunteers and spiritual seekers who sustain our sangha — and its commitment to the Dharma. A journalist by trade, Shane lives in Southeast Portland with his family and enjoys reading, running and really long hikes.
Board Vice Chair
Maggie Donahue
Maggie began practicing Insight Meditation in the Theravada tradition twenty-seven years ago at Spirit Rock. She participated in the two year Dedicated Practitioner’s Program, the one year Advanced Practitioner’s Program, and the One Year to Live Program with Vinny Ferraro and Frank Ostaseski. While in San Francisco, Maggie served on the board of SF Insight for three years and practiced with Eugene Cash and Pamela Weiss. Moving to Portland in July 2020, she attended PIMC on ZOOM, became a member of the PIMC Book Group, and helped organize the opening of the PIMC Building in the Spring of 2022.
Board Secretary
Dan Leif
Dan Leif began attending PIMC around 2012 and joined the board in 2022. Originally from Massachusetts, Dan moved to Portland in 2008, drawn to the unique blend of natural beauty, creative culture and spiritual community that make up this special pocket of the Pacific Northwest. He now lives in Northeast Portland with his partner and their pup. When not helping lead PIMC, Dan works for a nonprofit helping to shape recycling policy, and he plays old time banjo and guitar.
Board Chair
Susan Nosacka
Susan has been attending PIMC since 2019 and recently joined the board in July 2025. Besides a long history of meditation, she has also been in clinical practice as Occupational Therapist/Hand Therapist and mechanical engineer/ artist for the last 25 years in Portland. She is so excited to work with the current board to support the renewal and expansion of our sangha at PIMC while deepening her meditation practice. She loves cycling and gardening and finding ways to contribute to her community in meaningful ways.
Board Treasurer
Karen O'Dell
Karen O'Dell (she/her) has been a member of our sangha for over 10 years. She has been a frequent volunteer in Hospitality & Gardening. Karen has been a Registered Nurse for 40 years in a large hospital setting. Along with her husband, Doug, they have 2 wonderful grown sons and now share their home with a cat-dog named Bobo. She enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and sangha, walks, and bike rides.