Board Meetings
The AIMC Board of Directors usually meets on the fourth Sunday of February, April, June, August, October and December from 4 PM to 6 PM. Meetings are announced in the newsletter and listed on the website calendar. The Board welcomes community involvement and a process of participatory decision-making. If you would like to attend and/or add a board agenda item for consideration, please email to confirm the meeting date, time and location.
Board Service
Board members serve two-year terms, and new board members are elected in the fall at the annual membership meeting. The terms of board members are staggered to help maintain the continuity of the board.
We are grateful to all who have served on past or present boards.
Board of Directors
Donna Haughney | President is a long-time yogi who began her Buddhist practice in 1978 on the East Coast. Her journey began with Tibetan Buddhism. She attended a 3-month Seminary with Chögyam Trungpa in 1986 and also participated in the Shambala Training programs in NYC. She was introduced to Theravada Buddhism and Insight Meditation in the early 90s and attended the Women’s Retreat at IMS for 20 years. She also participated in retreats at the Forest Refuge as well as weekend retreats at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center (CIMC). Donna is retired and lived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for 10 years before moving to New Mexico in 2019. One of her reasons for relocating was to belong to an active Sangha. After visiting several different Sanghas, she chose AIMC! She enjoys being of service to AIMC and is currently responsible for bringing in visiting teachers as well as organizing day-long and residential retreats for the community.
Mike Kivitz | Vice-President retired as President and CEO of Adelante Development Center, Inc. after 42 years. Adelante is a nonprofit serving people with disabilities, disadvantages, and seniors through a variety of programs. He initially trained in Counseling Psychology, earning a Master’s degree, and later received an MBA. Mike has practiced in Vipassana, Tibetan and Zen traditions since the 1970’s.
MaryLou Wilson | Treasurer MaryLou began meditating following three ten-day silent retreats in Jessup, GA at the Southeast Vipassana Center – Dhamma Patapa. It was only when she returned to her native New Mexico and joined the Albuquerque Insight Meditation Center, however, that she began a concerted Dhamma practice and study. It’s the AIMC Sangha that has allowed MaryLou to deepen that practice with a group of spiritual friends who keep the environment sacred for the practice. It’s amazing what this group brings to the table for practitioners.
Jill Hankins | Co-Secretary (she/her) first joined our sangha during the pandemic in 2021. She has had a meditation practice for 10 years, and a Buddhist practice for 5 years. She studied many other traditions before finding her true home in Vipassana. She has taken several dharma courses taught by James Baraz, Robert A.F. Thurman, and Tricycle.
Jill is a retired librarian, fiber artist and photographer. She has lived in New Mexico since 2001, with a few years on the East Coast, and currently lives in Tijeras, NM.
Victoria Nagelis | Co-Secretary
Vikki began her meditation journey on the East Coast in 2020 during the pandemic, inspired by Dan Harris’s podcast. Initially exploring meditation for personal growth, she attended retreats at Wisdom House and the Red Barn in Connecticut, deepening her practice. She also became certified as a Reiki Level 2 and Sound Healer Level 2 practitioner, reflecting her broader interest in energy arts. Most recently, she completed a two-day Qigong training in November 2024.
In 2022, Vikki relocated to Boise, Idaho, where she completed her first 10-day silent Vipassana retreat in the S.N. Goenka tradition at Dhamma Pasava in Lava Hot Springs. In December 2023, she moved to Albuquerque and became involved with the Albuquerque Insight Meditation Center. Vikki is also active in Recovery Dharma and is proud to be celebrating nine years of sobriety.
Currently, Vikki is enrolled in the Master’s Program in Mindfulness Studies at Lesley University, which she will complete in 2025. Alongside her studies, she volunteers as a hospice caregiver and is training to become a Death Doula. A CrossFit coach and outdoor enthusiast, Vikki enjoys hiking in Albuquerque’s bosque and the Sandia foothills, finding inspiration in nature’s beauty.
Jameson Beekman (he/him/his) came to Buddhist practice in 2009 and was immediately drawn to the early Buddhist teachings. He has practiced with sanghas in Los Angeles, Boston, and Cambridge, MA and completed Meditation Instructor and Group Facilitator training at Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society in 2011. He also served as manager of the Boston Meditation Center from 2016-2017.
After much reflection, Jameson left the Boston area in 2017 and embarked on a two-year journey across the United States in a small Airstream with his partner before eventually settling in Albuquerque. During this time, he focused on deepening his connection to practice while more fully integrating mindfulness into his daily life and interactions.
Jameson continues to be inspired by the dhamma and focuses on using Buddhist principles to find meaning and reduce suffering in the world. He is currently a chaplain candidate through the Upaya Zen Center and is particularly interested in working with people in recovery and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Gerald Shifrin I am a retired engineer with degrees in math and computer science. I have been a practicing Buddhist for nearly 20 years. I originally became involved with Buddhism while trying out meditation to deal with stress and the need to stay focused on complex tasks. Eventually I stumbled into Buddhist practice and found it helpful as a general lifestyle approach. I was initially with a Theravada community in Colorado Springs, Rocky Mountain Insight, and found it to be generally compatible. Later, I wanted to go deeper into Buddhist studies and entered a graduate program at Naropa University, a Buddhist college in Boulder Colorado. This offered studies on other areas like Zen, and Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism and also awakened a desire to find ways to be of service. Subsequently, I started practicing with a Zen teacher at Springs Mountain Sangha also in Colorado Springs. I have found that continuing my studies and sharing Buddhist teachings bring me enormous satisfaction.
Board Meetings
Board meetings are usually held on the third Monday evening of even-numbered months and are listed in the calendar. All community members are encouraged to attend. The Board of Directors welcomes community involvement and a process of participatory decision-making.
Board of Directors
Donna Haughney | President is a long-time yogi who began her Buddhist practice in 1978 on the East Coast. Her journey began with Tibetan Buddhism. She attended a 3-month Seminary with Chögyam Trungpa in 1986 and also participated in the Shambala Training programs in NYC. She was introduced to Theravada Buddhism and Insight Meditation in the early 90s and attended the Women’s Retreat at IMS for 20 years. She also participated in retreats at the Forest Refuge as well as weekend retreats at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center (CIMC). Donna is retired and lived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for 10 years before moving to New Mexico in 2019. One of her reasons for relocating was to belong to an active Sangha. After visiting several different Sanghas, she chose AIMC! She enjoys being of service to AIMC and is currently responsible for bringing in visiting teachers as well as organizing day-long and residential retreats for the community.
Mike Kivitz | Vice-President retired as President and CEO of Adelante Development Center, Inc. after 42 years. Adelante is a nonprofit serving people with disabilities, disadvantages, and seniors through a variety of programs. He initially trained in Counseling Psychology, earning a Master’s degree, and later received an MBA. Mike has practiced in Vipassana, Tibetan and Zen traditions since the 1970’s.
MaryLou Wilson | Treasurer MaryLou began meditating following three ten-day silent retreats in Jessup, GA at the Southeast Vipassana Center – Dhamma Patapa. It was only when she returned to her native New Mexico and joined the Albuquerque Insight Meditation Center, however, that she began a concerted Dhamma practice and study. It’s the AIMC Sangha that has allowed MaryLou to deepen that practice with a group of spiritual friends who keep the environment sacred for the practice. It’s amazing what this group brings to the table for practitioners.
Jill Hankins | Co-Secretary (she/her) first joined our sangha during the pandemic in 2021. She has had a meditation practice for 10 years, and a Buddhist practice for 5 years. She studied many other traditions before finding her true home in Vipassana. She has taken several dharma courses taught by James Baraz, Robert A.F. Thurman, and Tricycle.
Jill is a retired librarian, fiber artist and photographer. She has lived in New Mexico since 2001, with a few years on the East Coast, and currently lives in Tijeras, NM.
Victoria Nagelis | Co-Secretary
Vikki began her meditation journey on the East Coast in 2020 during the pandemic, inspired by Dan Harris’s podcast. Initially exploring meditation for personal growth, she attended retreats at Wisdom House and the Red Barn in Connecticut, deepening her practice. She also became certified as a Reiki Level 2 and Sound Healer Level 2 practitioner, reflecting her broader interest in energy arts. Most recently, she completed a two-day Qigong training in November 2024.
In 2022, Vikki relocated to Boise, Idaho, where she completed her first 10-day silent Vipassana retreat in the S.N. Goenka tradition at Dhamma Pasava in Lava Hot Springs. In December 2023, she moved to Albuquerque and became involved with the Albuquerque Insight Meditation Center. Vikki is also active in Recovery Dharma and is proud to be celebrating nine years of sobriety.
Currently, Vikki is enrolled in the Master’s Program in Mindfulness Studies at Lesley University, which she will complete in 2025. Alongside her studies, she volunteers as a hospice caregiver and is training to become a Death Doula. A CrossFit coach and outdoor enthusiast, Vikki enjoys hiking in Albuquerque’s bosque and the Sandia foothills, finding inspiration in nature’s beauty.
Jameson Beekman (he/him/his) came to Buddhist practice in 2009 and was immediately drawn to the early Buddhist teachings. He has practiced with sanghas in Los Angeles, Boston, and Cambridge, MA and completed Meditation Instructor and Group Facilitator training at Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society in 2011. He also served as manager of the Boston Meditation Center from 2016-2017.
After much reflection, Jameson left the Boston area in 2017 and embarked on a two-year journey across the United States in a small Airstream with his partner before eventually settling in Albuquerque. During this time, he focused on deepening his connection to practice while more fully integrating mindfulness into his daily life and interactions.
Jameson continues to be inspired by the dhamma and focuses on using Buddhist principles to find meaning and reduce suffering in the world. He is currently a chaplain candidate through the Upaya Zen Center and is particularly interested in working with people in recovery and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Gerald Shifrin I am a retired engineer with degrees in math and computer science. I have been a practicing Buddhist for nearly 20 years. I originally became involved with Buddhism while trying out meditation to deal with stress and the need to stay focused on complex tasks. Eventually I stumbled into Buddhist practice and found it helpful as a general lifestyle approach. I was initially with a Theravada community in Colorado Springs, Rocky Mountain Insight, and found it to be generally compatible. Later, I wanted to go deeper into Buddhist studies and entered a graduate program at Naropa University, a Buddhist college in Boulder Colorado. This offered studies on other areas like Zen, and Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism and also awakened a desire to find ways to be of service. Subsequently, I started practicing with a Zen teacher at Springs Mountain Sangha also in Colorado Springs. I have found that continuing my studies and sharing Buddhist teachings bring me enormous satisfaction.
Board Service
Board members serve two-year terms, and new board members are elected in the fall at the annual membership meeting. The terms of board members are staggered to help maintain the continuity of the board.
We are grateful to all who have served on past or present boards.
“For the awakening of the heart, conditions are always good enough.”