Bill Moriarty’s first introduction to Buddhism was experiencing the gap when a childhood friend told the story of the Buddha saying “I am awake.” Ten years later he read a book by Lama Surya Das and started attending classes at the Philadelphia Shambhala Center. Bill took refuge vows in 2009, and continues to study the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He has a degree in computer science from Temple University, worked extensively as a record producer, and now works as a software developer.

Jacqui has been practicing meditation since 1993. Her initial training was in the Theravadin/insight meditation and Shambhala traditions. Since 2006, her primary training and practices have been in the Kagyu, Sakya, and Nyingma traditions. She received her certification as a mindfulness meditation instructor from Dharma Moon/Tibet House. She also has completed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program associated with the Penn Program for Mindfulness. Jacqui has been a board member and program coordinator with The Wisdom Seat since 2015 and a volunteer with Khyentse Foundation since 2015.

Stephanie has been practicing and studying in the Kagyu-Nyingma lineage since 2006, and received her meditation instructor certification through Dharma Moon and Tibet House. Like so many, she has taken a long and winding road on her spiritual path. As a child, she found her home in nature, and with horses and books. As a young adult, she spent a few years in the hungry ghost realm, and has been happily in recovery since 1988. Today, she runs an eponymous literary agency, is married to Phillip, and is mom to three mostly grown humans and oh-so-many pets. Her childhood love of nature, horses and books is back in full swing.

Al has been a student of meditation in the tradition of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche since 2016. They are particularly interested in how race, gender, and LGBTQIA+ representation intersect with Buddhism as it continues to establish in the US. Al received their Meditation Instructor certification through The Open Heart Project’s training program. In addition to volunteering to The Wisdom Seat as a board member and Meditation Instructor, Al volunteers time to the Shambhala Meditation Center in Philadelphia and to the Chogyam Trungpa Institute’s transcription work. Al has been an early childhood educator for over 10 years and holds an MA in Art Education with K-12 certification. They currently teach PreK at a Quaker school in East Falls, PA