Margie O'Driscoll

Margie O'Driscoll

I first came to San Francisco Zen Center seeking a religious practice for my family. I wanted my sons to learn firsthand the role that meditation and spirituality can play in daily life. What I discovered, although I hadn’t meant to, was a spiritual practice for myself.

Our practice began modestly, attending Family Day lectures and making sandwiches for the homeless every month. I came every Saturday to the Beginner's Mind (City Center) lectures and began to understand the role that meditation and Zen practice could have in my own life. After attending retreats at Tassajara and Green Gulch, I began to understand that I had now developed my own practice.

I am honored to be considered for service on the SFZC Board of Directors and I hope to bring both my volunteer and professional skills to serve the sangha. I have worked in the nonprofit sector for 30 years, as a Project Manager, Executive Director, Board member and volunteer. For the last decade, I have served as the Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects in San Francisco. Along the way, I have taught at Stanford and San Francisco State University; co-curated architecture exhibitions, and written for a variety of newspapers and magazines. I currently serve as Vice President of the Association of Architecture Organizations and serve on the Advisory Committees of WalkSF, Project Word and City Car Share.

Most importantly, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you for your support of my practice at SFZC.

Bio:
Margie O’Driscoll has a BA in Political Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MA in Public Management from Columbia University. Prior to joining AIA San Francisco, she held senior leadership positions in the Mayor’s Office and in philanthropy. Margie has been a writer in residence at Headland Center for the Arts and has taught at Stanford University and San Francisco State University. In 2009, she was voted “Executive of the Year” by her colleagues at CACE (other AIA chapters).