Sozan Michael McCord

President

Sozan Michael McCord is the current President of San Francisco Zen Center, where he’s been a resident practitioner since 2009. Over the years, he’s held a number of leadership roles across the organization—including Director of City Center (Beginner’s Mind Temple) from 2019 to 2021 and Chief Financial Officer from 2021 to 2024. Earlier in his practice, he served as Ino (Head of the Meditation Hall) and Tenzo (Head Cook) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.

Michael was ordained as a Zen priest by Ryushin Paul Haller in 2014. Before coming to Zen, he worked in both the technology and financial sectors. He also holds a BA in Theology from Ambassador University and spent time volunteering in Amman, Jordan, with the Ambassador Foundation, where he helped provide vocational training for individuals with developmental disabilities.

His path has woven together spiritual practice, service, and organizational leadership—grounded in a deep commitment to the teachings of Soto Zen.

michael.mccord@sfzc.org
(415) 999-7252