Board of Directors

Nick Herzmark helped build Dhamma Dena and was a close student, friend of Ruth Denison from 1977.  Later, she sent him to study and retreat with Sayadaw U. Pandita in Burma who emphasized non-stop mindfulness through intensive one-pointedness. For the last 45 years, he has been practicing within the Theravadan, Tibetan and Zen traditions. 

Currently he’s practicing Tibetan tradition under the guidance of Venerable Tsoknyi Rinpoche, who emphasizes resting the mind within a non-conceptual, open awareness; meeting each moment with a compassionate, open mind. 

Each year he continues to attend retreats, as well as spending time doing personal retreat practices in the desert at Dhamma Dena. Nick is a licensed psychotherapist and a mindfulness, core Buddhist concepts teacher who blends mindfulness with western methods.  He is currently serving as Board Co-Treasurer.

Sakti Rose, M.A., S.E.P.  (she, her) www.saktirose.org. Sakti studied and taught meditation under the guidance of Ruth Denison beginning in 1995. She remained a close student until Ruth’s death in 2015.  After that time, she has remained a close friend and teacher at Dhammadena.  Sakti is a senior Somatic Experiencing practitioner and teacher, helping individuals suffering from symptoms of stress and trauma.  She trained directly with Peter Levine, the Somatic Experiencing founder.  She graduated Naropa Institute in Contemplative Psychotherapy in '84.  Sakti developed and taught skills joining somatics and meditation at Spirit Rock Meditation Center from 2008 to 2021.

Sakti taught Mindfulness classes in several hospital and corporate settings for 25 years.  She has also practiced and taught Maitri Space work, a particular energy practice developed by Trungpa Rinpoche.  She is currently a student of Ven. Tsoknyi Rinpoche. She is currently serving as Board Secretary.

Hooman Anvar is a dedicated meditation practitioner with a deep connection to underrepresented communities in diaspora. He has been in service of a multitude of community organizations for over two decades serving as board member to founder to volunteer. 

He has found a sense of belonging, connection, and refuge in the inclusive, secular spiritual communities, deeply valuing the focus on shared humanity and accessibility. 

Hooman has been supporting Dhamma Dena since 2018. He joined the board in 2023 and is currently serving as Board President and Co-Treasurer.