Contact us.

Spiritual Director

970-846-2699
tim@zirkel.us

Susan first met the benevolent presence of Buddha in practitioners in the mid-80s. She has been a student of Buddhism since.

Having attended Pema Chodron and Tim’s teachings for years, she asked Tim to be her meditation teacher. He said, “Instead of a teacher, I’ll be your spiritual friend.” Soon after, she joined the Buddhist Center sangha by telephone and enlarged her dharma friend circle and devotion to the 3rd Jewel.

Her root teacher is Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, and she is a Path of Liberation student in Tergar. She lives in Florida, has 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and shares a mutt named Vali with her daughter’s family.

Membership

membership@steamboatbuddhistcenter.org

Jen met Tim and the BCSS sangha in 2022 after moving to beautiful Steamboat Springs. Learning through Tim's teachings, and being a part of the BCSS community has launched Jen onto the path of the dharma.  She serves as the facilities manager.  

Jen has been a health and fitness coach for over 30 years.  She is an avid mountain biker and Nordic skier.  She loves teaching yoga, hiking, and camping with friends and family.  

Facilities

jen@steamboatbuddhistcenter.org

Michael first encountered Buddhism as a youngster in the early 1970s through books that inspired him. They became a source of hope, showing him that someone was teaching about suffering, its causes, and the path to relief and freedom. After a bit of Zen training in the 1970s, he maintained a solo meditation practice and continued to read, but without any close ties to a teacher or community until 2020, when a friend introduced him to Mingyur Rinpoche’s books and online offerings. Since then, he has been traversing the Tergar Joy of Living and Path of Liberation practices.

Michael is drawn to Tim’s clear teaching style, kindness, and dedication, and loves being involved with the warm and vibrant people who make up the Buddhist Community of Steamboat Springs. He also maintains a strong connection with his root teacher, Mingyur Rinpoche and the Tergar community.

Michael and his wife retired to Santa Fe in early 2024, where they share their home with their adopted dog, Augie. They also have two adult children who live on the eastern seaboard.

Secretary

Programming

marchele@steamboatbuddhistcenter.org

Marchele McCarthy has been studying and practicing with the Buddhist Center for over 20 years. She met Tim Olmsted when he joined Exploring the Sacred, an interfaith dialogue group that continues today.

Marchele has been a Dekyong, Umdze and now supports programming for BCSS. Mingyur and Tsoknyi Rinpoche are her primary teachers, along with Tim.

She is a psychotherapist in Steamboat Springs and has two very active and hilarious children. Her husband, Tim, has been an active member of the Buddhist Center and all-star volunteer. When not on the sidelines of her kids' sports games, she enjoys travel, the outdoors and yoga.

Treasurer

treasurer@steamboatbuddhistcenter.org

Online Lead and Volunteer Coordinator

kelly@steamboatbuddhistcenter.org

Kelly met Tim more than 14 years ago and has been a student and practitioner of the tradition ever since. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and Tim are her root teachers. For The Buddhist Center, she supports the online community and the volunteers who help maintain the community. She’s been involved in Tergar Leadership for more than 10 years. Kelly lives in Stuart, Florida with her husband, Scott, and two pups, Ollie and Cooper.