Our Teachers
Our spiritual community (Sangha) was founded by Anam Thubten Rinpoche, founder of Dharmata Foundation. Sue Kochan, has served as guiding teacher and spiritual advisor since 2008.
Effective July 1, Sue is on an open-ended leave from teaching and helping to manage Dharma Refuge. Please see our monthly calendar listing for upcoming sangha led practices and events.
Effective July 1, Sue is on an open-ended leave from teaching and helping to manage Dharma Refuge. Please see our monthly calendar listing for upcoming sangha led practices and events.
Sue Kochan
Sue was inspired to dedicate her life to the path of the Bodhisattva when she first met H.E. Garchen Rinpoche in 1999. She has been studying and practicing the Dharma ever since. In 2008, at the request of her teacher Anam Thubten Rinpoche, she was ordained to teach. Sue’s teachings are based on the transcendent wisdom of the Buddha as they have been transmitted through the lineage of her teachers. Her particular interest is "Dharma off the cushion." How do we use the conditions of our life to open and awaken us, for the benefit of all beings? Sue is motivated everyday by Dharma Refuge's vision "A World Of Bodhisattvas."
Sue's career in advertising and marketing was focused on work with sustainable brands as well as public sector behavior change campaigns designed to reduce energy and water consumption. Her public speaking includes topics such as mindfulness, compassion based leadership, human-centered communications and engagement; corporate social responsibility; public awareness and behavior change and resource conservation as it relates to climate change.
In addition to being a wife, mom, watercolor artist and teacher at Dharma Refuge, Sue is retired founder and former CEO of a Rochester-based B Corp she sold to Butler Till Media in 2015.
Sue's career in advertising and marketing was focused on work with sustainable brands as well as public sector behavior change campaigns designed to reduce energy and water consumption. Her public speaking includes topics such as mindfulness, compassion based leadership, human-centered communications and engagement; corporate social responsibility; public awareness and behavior change and resource conservation as it relates to climate change.
In addition to being a wife, mom, watercolor artist and teacher at Dharma Refuge, Sue is retired founder and former CEO of a Rochester-based B Corp she sold to Butler Till Media in 2015.