Facilitators & Board

Steve Berkwitz has been involved with ODC for many years. Born and raised in Minneapolis, he moved to Springfield in 1999. He teaches courses on Buddhism and Asian religions in the Department of Religious Studies at MSU. His research has led him to make many visits to Sri Lanka, where he takes a keen interest in the cultural practices of Buddhism. He's written several books and articles on Theravāda Buddhism. His practice incorporates Buddhist mindfulness meditation and Chinese breathing practices (qigong). 

Christie Cathey is a social psychologist who has long been interested in the study of the self, particularly in understanding the effects of culturally influenced self-construals on motivation, emotion, and cognition. She sees her attraction to Buddhism as a natural extension of her early academic pursuits. That is, what most draws her to the Buddhist path is its systematic methods of loosening one's self boundaries in ways that lead to greater peace, freedom, connection, and psychological well-being. She is currently a student of Emily Horn and finds great comfort and inspiration in teachings from the Insight Meditation Movement, especially those of Tara Brach and Sharon Salzberg. She feels enormous gratitude for the community and support she has found at ODC.

Rowena Raborar has been interested in neuroscience and training the mind since 1999 while completing a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy. After surviving her first silent retreat at Spirit Rock in 2007 she has wholeheartedly practiced Insight Meditation ever since.

Rhett Roberson has been meditating since 2014. Meditation was initially a mental exercise to combat the everyday challenge and struggle of being human. After a few years it became a passion that led to completing a multi-month teacher training with Lodro Rinzler. Rhett took his refuge vows with Lodro and Susan Piver, and in 2019 had the incredible opportunity to take the Bodhisattva Vow with the Dalai Lama at his home temple in India. With a masters degree in Organizational Psychology, he founded Paramita Consulting, where he combines his studies in academia and Buddhism to make the workplace, and subsequently life, a better experience. 

John Ruff joined ODC in 2007. He attended his first week-long group meditation retreat in 2008, and has since attended numerous retreats led by Vince and Emily Horn, Shinzen Young, Kenneth Folk and others, as well as several week-long solitary retreats. In 2012 he began studying under Vince and Emily Horn, completed their two-year teacher training course in 2020 and received authorization as a dharma and meditation teacher in their traditions, passed down from Jack Kornfield, Trudy Goodman, Kenneth Folk and Daniel Ingram.

Justin Russell  I was riding a borrowed bicycle the first time I visited ODC, in flip flops. Showed up sweaty and late... a common theme in my life. I was accepted with open arms, and have found more than support and encouragement-- I found a home. Very excited about how this community has grown since I stumbled in, and very grateful for the opportunity to help it keep growing.

Barry Armstrong (President) is a Springfield native who returned home after a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy as a Cryptologist and Korean Linguist. He later found meaningful work directing International Student Services at both Ozarks Technical Community College and Drury University, where he helped students from around the world feel at home. Barry has also served in several leadership roles within local and regional professional organizations and governing boards. 

His interest in Buddhism began in 1992 during his first visit to Japan. After nearly 30 years as a solitary practitioner, Barry and his son Tristan came to ODC in early 2023 seeking dharma teachings and community—a connection he now considers immeasurable in value and impact. Barry believes the diverse wisdom and compassion woven throughout the ODC sangha make it profoundly unique and sacred. He considers the opportunity to serve in any capacity that sustains or strengthens this community as a precious and humbling gift.

Amethyst Di Tieri (Secretary) discovered Buddhism and meditation through ODC a few years ago, drawn by a wish to quiet the mind and be more present in daily life. Along the way, she has found an incredibly kind and supportive community. She values the simple joys of everyday living and approaches her practice with curiosity, compassion, and gratitude. 

Jason Knight   (Treasurer)   After attending an ODC beginner’s meditation course, I discovered the connection and community in the sangha. A recreation practitioner by trade, I have now discovered the re-creation that inward contemplation provides. What keeps me coming back to meditation is the idea that nothing is permanent, and that the next sit may bring me a new insight that can help change my life or the life of the people around me. I have never felt more a part of such a diverse group of people, and the connection of a group meditation has had such an impact on my life.  I have found my people, and they meditate.

Tiffany Frey has held a deep love of nature since her earliest memories and has spent the past 20 years working in the nonprofit world, 13 of those in the environmental sector. A self-proclaimed personal development nerd, she has spent years exploring the intersection of mind, breath, body, and awareness through a variety of studies and practices. Her first foray into meditation began in 2001, and she has continued to weave in and out of that practice ever since, always returning to it as a grounding force. Tiffany aims to bring a gentle curiosity and an embodied approach to her everyday experiences. 

Raymond Husk works as a Special Education Teacher for Springfield Public Schools. He teaches students who have behavioral concerns, have been through severe trauma and are now in a residential facility. It was while helping a student with their World History studies that he came across Buddhism, which quickly appealed to him. With the encouragement of his wife he started attending ODC meetings in 2018. He enjoys meditating with the group and listening to what is shared.

Krista Pyle began her meditation journey through yoga and is deeply grateful to have found ODC. Practicing alongside others who are devoted to growing in compassion has felt like finding “her people.” She has lived in Springfield for 19 years and has spent much of that time as an educator, committed to serving her community with care, awareness, and a belief in our shared humanity. ODC has become a place where her whole family feels seen, respected, and held in a deep sense of belonging — a place where they feel at home. Krista is committed to supporting ODC in taking thoughtful, loving action as a community that honors our interconnectedness while maintaining balance and caring boundaries.

Justin Russell  I was riding a borrowed bicycle the first time I visited ODC, in flip flops. Showed up sweaty and late... a common theme in my life. I was accepted with open arms, and have found more than support and encouragement-- I found a home. Very excited about how this community has grown since I stumbled in, and very grateful for the opportunity to help it keep growing.