Sangha Leadership

Guiding Teachers


Board of Directors

Sue Walter, Vice President
Seifu Shinryu
Peaceful Breeze, Profound Dragon

Patty Alvarez, Secretary
Juri Jushin
Abiding in Principle, Receiving Heart

Ronnie Davis (he, they), Treasurer
Ninden Zetsugen
Patience Field, Penetrate Source

Sue Preciado, Board Member


Sangha Elders Committee

Sandy Musashi, Sangha Elder
Kasei Esho
Flower Sage, Blessing Realized/Awakened

Sandy began her Buddhist practice at Ocean Gate Zen Center with teachers Daijaku Kinst and Shinshu Roberts in 2014.  Her interests in Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and sewing helped her to find a personal connection. Sewing rakusus and robes, and arranging flowers in our temple are an important part of her practice.

Sue Walter, Sangha Elder
Seifu Shinryu
Peaceful Breeze, Profound Dragon

What is it about Zen that has kept me practicing for almost 40 years? I remember the first time I walked into a zendo. I felt as if I had come home and that feeling has remained with me throughout the 40 years. I also love to work with my hands from quilting to carpentry, from pottery to baking, from gardening to painting.


Novice Priests

Rev. Randy Chelsey, Novice Priest
Kinmyo Shijun
Heartfelt Service, Joyous Luminosity

Shijun Randy Chelsey has been a student of Zen Buddhism since 1999. Shijun initially practiced at Santa Cruz Zen Center. She was a founding member of Ocean Gate Zen Center. Shijun has been a student of Daijaku Roshi since 2006. She was ordained in July 2023. She has attended residential practice at Great Vow Monastery in Oregon. Shijun has an M.A in Counseling and a BA in Religious Studies with a focus on Buddhism. 

Rev. Mark Hollingshead, Novice Priest
Kenjitsu Gigen
Sword of Thusness, Faithful Source

Gigen has been studying Zen for over 25 years. He began training at Midlebar Monastery in Stockton California. Twelve years ago he moved to Santa Cruz and began practice at Ocean Gate Zen Center. In 2017 Gigen went through the Jukai ceremony to officially become Daijaku Roshi’s student, and in 2023 went through novice priest ordination (Shukke Tokodo). Gigen holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from California State University, Sacramento.