Himalayan Children’s Fund Staff

Debra Ann Robinson-Menzies

Director

When Thrangu Rinpoche asked me to run the Himalayan Children's Fund in the fall of 1989 I was eager to help but had no recognition of the amazing opportunity he was offering me. Over the years of my involvement I have come to appreciate the work in ways I could never have imagined at the time. The interaction of so many people, of hearts and lives all around the world, is truly a remarkable thing to be able to witness and to help facilitate.

I currently live in Los Angeles with my husband Roderick Menzies and continue my study of Buddhist meditation and Classical Indian Yoga while also teaching the same and doing therapeutic massage.

Volunteers

Maria Bardini-Perkins

Secretary

I live on the beautiful North Coast of California with my husband Milton. I have been a student of Donna McLaughlin for the past twelve years and currently volunteer at the community, all volunteer, library and the community theatre. I have given free classes to the community via the library in origami and collage work. For the past 6 years, several friends and I have sponsored Sangay Denchok, a monk at Thrangu's monastery. We had the pleasure of meeting Sangay in 2008 on a trip to Nepal. We also met the Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche and saw firsthand his spirit of generosity.

I am very grateful for this opportunity to volunteer my services.

Tsewang Lama

Social Media Coordinator

I am one of the lucky recipients of Thrangu Rinpoche's generosity and blessing. I was a student at Shree Mangal Dvip School until 2003. Upon graduation, I served for a year as the Director's Assistant at SMD until I left to study at Red Cross Nordic United World College. After that I continued with my studies (Bachelor's and Master's) at St. Lawrence University. I currently work as the Coordinator of International Student Services at SLU. I am excited to volunteer with HCF and I look forward to engaging the next generation of HCF supporters through social media. This is a small, but impactful way to expand on the exceptional work of HCF.

Joann Parks

Treasurer

My husband and I live in Los Angeles and are students of Thrangu Rinpoche; our local instructor is Sylvia Bercovici. I am retired from Xerox, was a corporate trainer and coach, and currently do private career counseling. My passion for the dharma increases through the spaciousness and graciousness of Thrangu Rinpoche and the other teachers I’ve been fortunate enough to study with, including Ponlop Rinpoche at Nitartha Institute. Thrangu Rinpoche’s teachings and work are so important and I’m happy to be part of facilitating this.

Andrew Spickert-Ammons

Web Developer

I came to HCF through my wife, Maggie, after she introduced me to Debra Ann and the kind work that HCF does for those in need. Using my skills in marketing and web development I appreciate the opportunity to give back to a cause that has become near and dear to my heart.

I currently live with Maggie and our dog, Kona, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado where I am the director of marketing and associate broker for a business brokerage firm.