About Ligmincha

Rob Patzig is the president and chairman of the board at Ligmincha International. He assumed both roles in 2013.

With a deep commitment to the preservation and sharing of the Yungdrung Bön tradition of Tibet, Rob works closely with Ligmincha’s spiritual director, resident lamas and international communities to support Ligmincha's mission, foster collaboration, and develop new programs. Under his leadership, the organization has continued to expand its reach, promoting awareness and understanding of Bön through retreats, teachings, publications, and online programs.

Before joining Ligmincha International, Rob Patzig had an eighteen year career in finance and investment management, serving for his last eight years as the Chief Investment Officer for a mullti-billion dollar family office. In this role he cultivated skills in strategic planning, leadership, and organizational development. His transition to Ligmincha was driven by a deep personal commitment to spiritual practice, the expansive vision of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and a desire to use his past experiences in business and finance to preserve and share ancient wisdom traditions.

Previously he held academic postings in market research and taught English at the university level. Rob holds degrees in Philosophy and English Literature. He is married, has two grown children and too not so grown dogs.

Carlos Manuel Madero Cantú was born on November 20, 1955, in Torreón, Coahuila, a city where he has forged both his professional path and his spiritual and community service. His life has been marked by the convergence of engineering, business leadership, inner transformation, and a strong commitment to collective well-being.

He earned his degree in civil engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Monterrey Campus, and completed a master's degree in business administration. From the beginning of his professional life, he focused on creating harmonious, functional, and sustainable spaces. He founded Grupo Montemeru S.A. de C.V., which includes Montemeru Homes, Constructora Davalage, Samsara, and Ecolosystems. Under his leadership, housing, educational, and recreational projects, among others, have been developed.

His first contact with Buddhism occurred in 1995. In November 2001, together with his wife Gabriela Flores Hernández, he formally began practicing Bön Buddhism, with the blessing and guidance of his spiritual teacher, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Since then, his life and that of his family have become deeply intertwined with this ancestral Buddhist Lineage. That same year, on a vacant lot donated by a fellow practitioner, he fully developed and urbanized the Chamma Ling Torreón Retreat Center, transforming it into an architectural and spiritual landmark. There, he designed and built the Gompa, private rooms with bathrooms, the kitchen, the dining room, and the gardens. In 2002, he led the construction of the first Bön Buddhist Stupa in the Western Hemisphere, with the authorization of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and the collaboration of monks from the Bön tradition.

In 2010, he served as Director of Ligmincha Mexico and participated in the consecration of the Stupa for World Peace at Chamma Ling Valle de Bravo. He has traveled to Nepal and the United States to attend retreats with masters of the Bön lineage.

Carlos Madero has served as a board member of Ligmincha International and holds the title of Instructor within the organization. To this day, he actively participates in the training of practitioners, organization of retreats, weekly meditations, and the performance of ceremonies.

Mariela Iragorri is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in international corporations, seamlessly blending business acumen with a passion for service. Her spiritual path began in 1999 with a transformative journey to India and Nepal, where meeting Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche sparked her devotion to the Bön Tradition.

This commitment led her to support peace and healing initiatives, including her instrumental role on the Mexican Board of Directors for the Great Bön Stupa for World Peace, successfully fundraising until its consecration in 2010.

Her professional expertise spans prominent organizations such as Warner Brothers, Marvel, Mattel, NBC Universal, and FIFA, where she has thrived in roles focusing on Marketing, Licensing, Business Consulting, and Social Media. Mariela excels at building cohesive global teams and integrating mindfulness into her work as a Contemplative Psychotherapist to promote healing and connection.

An advocate for holistic well-being, Mariela is passionate about learning from diverse cultures and treasures the wisdom of indigenous peoples. She finds joy in nature and life's simple pleasures, seeking connections with those who share her dedication to service and collaboration.

To explore how Mariela can contribute to Ligmincha’s purpose or other initiatives, please reach out at miragorrich@gmail.com

Frank Jeri is a dedicated community leader with a heart for service. With over 17 years as practitioner of the ancient Bön spiritual tradition, Frank’s journey with Ligmincha International began in Peru and other South American countries in 2015.

Frank’s career has spanned roles in human resources and executive leadership at organizations like Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, and Ernst & Young.

His ability to drive strategic initiatives has helped transform communities in Latin America. You can find Frank volunteering at non-profit organizations supporting kids and underserved communities in Peru, or walking in different mountains and sacred places.

Frank welcomes conversations about how we can better serve our community. Reach out to him at frankjeri@hotmail.com to connect.

Justyna Przondo first met Rinpoche in 2003 and since then she has been following his teachings.

She comes from and lives in Poland.

For many years she led practices in her town Wrocław. From 2012 to 2021 she was the president of the board of Ligmincha Poland. Professionally she is involved in the pottery art.

Gabriel Rocco has been a student of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche for nearly 30 years and served as the head of the original Serenity Ridge Council for many years.Gabriel earned his Master of Arts in Contemplative Psychotherapy degree from Naropa University in 1982. He maintains a Contemplative Mentoring practice, where he empowers individuals to uncover their inherent health and well-being in the face of serious illness.

In 1986, he pioneered the Cancer Support Care and Crisis Intervention program at Einstein Medical Center where he also served as counselor at Einstein’s Hospice, one of the nations’ first hospital-based hospices. In 1990 he founded “Life Support Group,” a nonprofit organization providing mind-body practices in group format to cancer patients and their families.

In 2003, on behalf of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, he was honored to present directly to the Dalai Lama, at Garrison Institute, on the topic of teaching meditation to Westerners.

For twenty years, Gabriel was a senior teacher for the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Program for Mindfulness where he taught Mindfulness-based Stress Management programs. During the same twenty year period he served as the Mind Body Specialist for the Wellness Community in Philadelphia providing meditation instruction, stress management, and a variety of contemplative healing practices for people living with cancer and their families.

Gabriel taught the first six 3 Doors North American Academies with his wife, Marcy Vaughn. Marcy and Gabriel created and continue to teach The 3 Doors Compassion Project. In addition to teaching a variety of programs with The 3 Doors, Gabriel has created the pre-recorded, self-paced course, The Healing Power of Silence, available anytime

Pam encountered Rinpoche and the Bön teachings in 1994, which had a profound impact on her life. She has been a dedicated volunteer and practitioner with Ligmincha’s local Charlottesville sangha ever since, serving as Treasurer for almost 25 years before joining the International Board.

In her career, Pam worked for over 30 years at the University of Virginia Medical center, where she managed an active research lab that studied wound healing, wound dressings and closure devices. She has numerous scientific publications and has presented at national meetings. She also worked with the UVA Nursing School’s Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies during 10 of those years, where she wrote grants and conducted clinical trials.

She is now happily retired, which allows more time for other interests including writing, travel, nature, and family time. She has participated in a local screenwriting group for the past 12 years, and has been its leader for the past 5 years.

Rob Patzig is the president and chairman of the board at Ligmincha International. He assumed both roles in 2013.

With a deep commitment to the preservation and sharing of the Yungdrung Bön tradition of Tibet, Rob works closely with Ligmincha’s spiritual director, resident lamas and international communities to support Ligmincha's mission, foster collaboration, and develop new programs. Under his leadership, the organization has continued to expand its reach, promoting awareness and understanding of Bön through retreats, teachings, publications, and online programs.

Before joining Ligmincha International, Rob Patzig had an eighteen year career in finance and investment management, serving for his last eight years as the Chief Investment Officer for a mullti-billion dollar family office. In this role he cultivated skills in strategic planning, leadership, and organizational development. His transition to Ligmincha was driven by a deep personal commitment to spiritual practice, the expansive vision of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and a desire to use his past experiences in business and finance to preserve and share ancient wisdom traditions.

Previously he held academic postings in market research and taught English at the university level. Rob holds degrees in Philosophy and English Literature. He is married, has two grown children and too not so grown dogs.

Since becoming a student of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s in 1996, Sue felt a wish to be of service to Rinpoche’s work and Ligmincha’s mission to preserve the teachings and traditions of Yungdrung Bӧn. This led her to move from California to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Ligmincha International headquarters was then located.

With a background in finance and a Masters degree in Depth Psychology, Sue began as a volunteer and then became a paid staff member managing the retail and online store.

Since 2010 she has been in the role of executive director, supporting the organization as it has grown over these many years.

When Sue is not working, she enjoys walks in the woods with her husband. Reach out to Sue to learn more about our organization and projects at suedavisdill@ligmincha.org

Maggie Scobie is a long-time student of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, meeting him in the late 1990's in Washington, D.C. She has been a committed practitioner of Bön Buddhism, dedicated to the preservation and embodiment of its ancient wisdom in the modern world.

She serves as Board Secretary for Ligmincha International and is an active member of the Sangha, serving as Lama House Volunteer Coordinator at Serenity Ridge Retreat Center.

Professionally, Maggie holds a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology and has spent her career working in nonprofit, service-based, and leadership organizations. Since 1988, she has been an active leader at the Institute for the Advancement of Service, where she serves on the board of directors, and is a long-standing faculty member and counselor.

Guided by the teachings and practices of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and the 3 Doors Academy and programs, Maggie’s path is one of devotion, compassion, and selfless service. She brings to the Ligmincha community a steady presence and years of experience working with non-profit organizations. Her commitment to Ligmincha International is to join with other board members and fully support the success of the Vision and Mission of their teacher, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.

She is married, has two grown children, and a full house of beloved pets. They live in an EcoVillage Community in Virginia.

Scott Clearwater has been a student of Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche since 2001. With a background in physics, he found his door to dharma in the dzogchen teachings.