About SINI
Our Team
Our community of advisors, friends, dedicated volunteers, and modestly compensated staff powers innovative educational initiatives that blend the Dharma with modern methodologies, creating transformative learning experiences that cross traditional boundaries. Amid numerous challenges, SINI seeks to foster an environment where work is meaningful, joyful, and meritorious, all built through friendships and sustained through a shared understanding that the path to benefiting others brings the greatest joy.
Founder
Under Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche’s visionary leadership spanning over six decades, SINI has flourished from these deep roots to become a global hub where individuals from diverse backgrounds channel their specialized skills into the noble work of preserving Buddha Dharma.
Tarthang Tulku
Founder
Leadership
The Leadership and Advisory team serves as the guiding force behind SINI’s mission, identifying pathways for growth while skillfully navigating challenges. They cultivate and preserve SINI’s distinctive culture and ethos, ensuring our vision remains clear and impactful.
Tsering Gellek
Executive Director
Ngawang Tsondu
Principal
Khenpo Chophel
Past Principal
Khenpo Konchog Norbu
Past Principal
Khenpo Yeshi
Past Principal
Management & Administration
Our Administrative team provides the foundation that enables SINI to thrive. They offer consistent support and meticulous financial oversight, ensuring smooth operations across all initiatives.
Ngawang Tsondu
Monastic Principal
Dr. Woedo
Associate Director
Khenpo Ngawang Choephel
Current Assistant Principal
Ugen Tsering
Manager
Doug Nurnberg
Facilities Manager
Rinchen Kyi
Communications
Tibetan Language Programs Team
SINI’s Tibetan Language Program includes an international team of dedicated native and non-native speakers delivering both Classical and Colloquial Tibetan courses through innovative teaching methods.
Franziska Oertle
Director
Paul Wobig
Assistant Teacher
Tenzin Ghegay
Teacher
Ania Sambroska
Assistant Teacher
Tzoe Wong
Registrar
Nat Thammamitr
Assistant Teacher
Lhakpa Tsering
Teacher
Bhargavi Viswanath
Assistant
Alexandra Sukhanova
Teacher
Melissa Katz
Assistant
Pema Woeser
Assistant Teacher
Juan-Felipe Garcia Peña
Online Learning Developer
English Language Program Team
The English for Dharma Purposes team comprises diverse, dedicated native English-speaking professionals who live and work alongside Buddhist monastic scholars from the Himalayan regions—many having committed three to seven years to the program.
Eden Merritt
Director
Osha Johnson
Associate Director / Consultant
Jaime Luria Pinto
Teacher / Consultant
Tanner McAlister
Teacher / Translation / Consultant
Patrick Dowd
Teacher / Translation / Consultant
Publications / Translation Team
This scholarly team, often comprising SINI graduates, develops curriculum materials while translating original and existing Dharma texts. Their meticulous research and publications advance our core mission of preserving and transmitting precious wisdom traditions.
Khenpo Ju Tenkyong
Khenpo Tsering Nyima
Khenpo Thubten Lobsang
Khenpo Thubten Gyatso
Monastic Education
Our Monastic Education team approaches contemporary challenges with humility and insight, developing grounded, innovative solutions for today’s monastics. They cultivate a responsive network of institutions and partners dedicated to addressing the evolving needs of monastic communities.
Ngawang Tsondu
Principal
Catherine Brown
Director
Jann Ronis
Advisor
Sengé Catherine
Program Coordinator
Building Bridges Team
This growing dynamic team forges vital connections between SINI and global Dharma centers. Working in close collaboration with SINI Fellows, they cultivate enriching learning opportunities that create mutual benefit for both Dharma centers and our graduates.
Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Teacher
Khenpo Konchok Norbu
Teacher
Renate Marx
Program Coordinator
SINI Fellows
Our Fellows—graduates of SINI’s EDP program—embody our mission through their work in teaching, translation, and program development. They represent the living extension of SINI’s vision, creating ripples of impact throughout the Dharma community.
Khenpo Konchog Norbu
Khenpo Kalsang Dhundrup
Khenpo Kunga Dakpa
Lopon Tenzing Sherpa
Friends of SINI
SINI flourishes through the support of our growing network of Friends who work alongside our staff and faculty. Taking responsibility for key development areas, they provide crucial guidance to our director in strategic decision-making and sustainable growth initiatives.
Alexander Von Rospatt
Briana Blasko
Navneet Raman
Kaveri And Tj Singh
