Mountain Lamp Board of Directors
President: John Morgan
Raised on Whidbey Island during the 50’s and 60’s, John spent the next 30 years wondering why people think funny, and deciding nothing matters. Encountering “Peace is Every Step” led to the Bellingham Mindfulness Sangha and to Mountain Lamp Community. Enchanted by the sound of the bell and the mention of emptiness has led to 20 years of sitting silently, mostly with others. Unwilling to let go completely of MLC as it faced great change, he agreed to serve as president of the board to do a small part in helping with its continuation. The reality of complete uncertainty of the future has helped foster an attitude of acceptance of what is, alongside of hope for what can be.
Vice President: Ricco Bonicalzi
Ricco has been a student of the Dharma since the mid-1990s. Discovering the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh felt like coming home. In 1996, he received the five precepts from Eileen Kiera and has practiced within the Mountain Lamp tradition ever since. Another deep root in his life is that of science. In 2010, Ricco received a PhD in physics from the University of Washington and for the last decade has been an instructor at Seattle Central College. As a scientist, he is most interested in cosmology and fundamental issues in particle physics. He enjoys nothing more than meandering far-reaching conversations that bring science and Dharma together in celebration of our amazing mysterious universe.
Danna Zelenka: Treasurer
Danna met and began studying with Dharmacharya Eileen Kiera in 1994 and continued to study with her through the years. She was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in May, 2013 by Eileen Kiera and was given the dharma name, Chan Xuan Thien (True Sky of Spring) by Thich Nhat Hanh. The dharma has deeply influenced her life. Danna retired from a 36 year teaching career in developmental preschool through fifth grade. She enjoys local volunteer opportunities that involve children and walking the trails near her home.
Jeanie Kleinpeter: Secretary
With not much more than a recommendation from a friend, Jeanie jumped into Dharma practice by signing up for a retreat with the Mountain Lamp Community in 2017. The experience was life changing, and she has continued practice ever since. Jeanie lives in Kirkland, WA, where she raises her three school-aged children with her husband Tom. She also serves as secretary of her daughter’s school’s PTSA and is a member of the Washington State Bar Association.
