Denise Owens joined the Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte in 2013 to become more skilled in present moment mindfulness to enhance her patient treatments. However, she has found the teachings and her practice to have a positive effect on all aspects of her life. Denise has gratefully participated in an Insight Meditation Society and the annual IMCC retreats. Denise has completed the IMCC year-long Dharma Study Practice Program and is currently in the two-year Dharma Leader Training Program. She currently serves as chair of the board, Personnel Committee, Metta Committee, and as retreat manager. She has also served on the board of the Piedmont District of the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association.

Yvonne McCracken has practiced meditation since 2006 and been a member of IMCC shortly after our sangha was formed. She is currently a member of the finance committee and has served as a volunteer coordinator longer than anyone alive! Yvonne has attended IMCC silent retreats as well as retreats at Southern Dharma. She says: “ I am grateful that my life journey has brought me to the teachings of the Buddha and the IMCC sangha.”

Gary Cotler has been a member of the Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte since 2017. After a long-time intellectual interest in Buddhism, he began practicing meditation in 2015 and now considers it an integral part of his overall wellness. Gary has attended residential retreats at Southern Dharma and Heartwood Refuge as well as completed an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. Practicing and studying the dharma combined with being part of the IMCC sangha have had a tremendous positive impact on his life. Gary currently serves on the Finance committee.

Adrienne Price, Treasurer, found her home at the Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte in 2013 after practicing Zen and Tibetan Buddhism for several years. She has a deep commitment to this practice and balances her job in corporate IT with residential retreats at centers such as the Bhavana Society, Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, and Southern Dharma. This path has truly changed her life and she is grateful for the many teachers that have pushed her along with loving kindness. She is a volunteer coordinator at our Wednesday night sangha and loves being surrounded by the support that this community has to offer.

Clyde Alexander has been practicing meditation since 1998. He has attended residential retreats at Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, Southern Dharma Retreat Center and Cloud Mountain. Clyde is a graduate of the Dedicated Practitioner Program, Spirit Rock’s two-year study program. Clyde previously served as president of the IMCC Board of Directors and chaired the PR committee. He currently is on the Programming and PR committees.

Mary Thia Powers has practiced Vipassana and Insight Meditation since 1999. She is a meditation and yoga teacher who also practices graphic and interior design. As a member of the Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte sangha, she’s currently enrolled in the Dhamma Leader Training Program (class of 2020) and serves as chair of the Public Relations committee. Thia believes that meditation and study of the Dhamma brings heart-wisdom and clarity to relationships and communities, facilitating global inter-being.