Board of Directors

The board is committed to adhering to the vision, mission and the philosophies of the Temple. The board responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing day-to-day activities, special events and projects
  • Managing financial activities including fundraising and ensuring appropriate financial reporting.
  • Management oversight of the resident minister.

The board meets monthly and we invite everyone to come out and get involved by participating and/or volunteering at various activities and events.

Dan McCormack, President

Dan has been a member of the Calgary Buddhist Temple since 1994 and has been volunteering on the Board, with the Sunday School and various committees since 1995.  Dan was married at the Temple in June 1987 and has enjoyed the Dharma and the Sangha at the Calgary Buddhist Temple since that time.  He is a Professional Engineer with over 35 years of experience in the Oil and Gas, and Utility Industries as well as, over the years, Dan has also volunteered as a hockey and soccer coach in the schools, and with APEGA and Toastmasters. 

Dr Lester Ikuta, Past-President
Lester has been a life long member of the JSBTC and has been a member of the Calgary Buddhist Temple since moving to Calgary in 1970.  He married his wife Mickey in the present temple location in 1987, and with his 3 children have been active members. Lester has been a board member of this temple continuously since 1985 and stepped down as president in 2022.  

Laura Sugimoto, Vice President
Laura and her husband Tom have been members of the Sangha for over 30 years.  She has been a Board member for more than 10 years and is currently the President of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temple of Canada.  She is a retired senior commercial lawyer and has extensive experience volunteering in non-profit organizations in Calgary.

Tracee Sano, Secretary
Tracee has been a member of the Calgary Buddhist Temple since 2012 and has served on the board since 2022. Tracee, her husband Robert along with their two children have all volunteered in different capacities since joining the Calgary Buddhist Temple Sangha.

Jean Masuda, Treasurer (bio pending)

Jackie Robb, Director
Jackie Robb was born into and raised in the Sangha of the Raymond Buddhist Church. After many years of living in cities with no access to a Jodo Shinshu Temple, Jackie and Barrie relocated to Calgary in 2006 and joined the CBT Sangha. 

Laurie Takeda, Director
Laurie has been an active member of Jodo Shinshu Temples in Canada for over 38 years – 23 of those with the Kelowna Buddhist Temple where she served on the Board as well as the Fujinkai for several years. She was married in the Lethbridge Honpa Temple. Laurie moved to Calgary in 2018 and joined the Board in 2020.

Ken Nishi, Director
Ken and his wife Mary have been members of the Sangha for over 20 years. Their three children have attended Dharma school and participated in many of the Temple activities and events. Ken has been on the temple board for over 15 years.

Susan Kitagawa, Director (bio pending)

Christopher Trollope, Director (bio pending)