Board of Directors

Robert founded the Portland Insight Meditation Community where he

is the guiding teacher. He was empowered to teach the Dharma by Ruth Denison in 1983. His life is devoted to helping others discover the profound ways Buddhist practices can transform one’s life, reduce suffering and create happiness.

​

Robert is a husband, father, grandfather, poet, musician, skier, lover of mountains and is fully engaged with life. 

Tracy Cullen grew up in New Jersey and currently resides in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Tracy has a background in public heath nutrition and currently works as a granting manager for the Victoria Foundation. She also sits on the board of a family foundation and has experience in the philanthropic sector. Tracy was introduced to the Ruth Denison lineage during a retreat in Canada in 2019 and continued to learn and practice through PIMC’s strong online presence and community since 2020.  

​

Rachelle lives in Florida and began her path of Dharma in 2015.  As a follower of PIMC's Dharma talk recordings since 2019, she sought to share the generosity of PIMC's teachings by serving as a volunteer finance specialist for PIMC in 2022. She is a CPA, volunteer Guardian ad Litem, basketball fanatic, foodie, and nature trail enthusiast.

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 community – and our commitment to the Dharma. A journalist by trade, Shane lives in Southeast Portland with his family and enjoys reading, running and dub reggae. 

Dan Leif started attending meditation sessions at PIMC around 2011, and was quickly drawn to insight meditation practice. He has been a participant in many classes and retreats associated with PIMC, and he is currently part of the PIMC Teacher Training program. He works as a writer/editor and also plays old time banjo and guitar. In all he does, he finds comfort and meaning in the simple reminder from Ajahn Chah: "This moment is like this."

​

Douglas Pullin has been teaching at PIMC since 2004. He is a lineage holder and authorized to teach in the Insight Meditation tradition of U Ba Kin, Ruth Denison, and Robert Beatty. Douglas graduated from the Spirit Rock sponsored Community Dharma Leader Training with Tara Brach and James Baraz in 2008.  Douglas is currently a student of Mathew Flickstein in the Bhante Gunaratana lineage from Sri Lanka.  Douglas has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and master’s in clinical social work. He has over 25 years of non-profit management experience in community mental healthcare. In addition to teaching at PIMC, Douglas offers mindfulness-based psychotherapy and consultation in independent practice. Douglas also works as a consultant in the nonprofit social service field.  He enjoys meditation retreats, going for runs in the woods, hiking, and gardening.