Photo by Florian Brody
By Tova Green
“I’m trying to convey our practice in everyday relatable terms,” relates Michael McCord, who became San Francisco Zen Center’s President in July 2024, “so that our Zen tradition is understood for what it is—one of passion, joy, and inclusivity.”
Michael accepted the position of President because he felt a sense of responsibility for SFZC’s long-term structural, organizational, cultural, and financial health. “I thought I’d be useful in the role based on my background. It can be a stressful role [but] for me it’s less stressful than [it might be] for some others. I like to solve problems. If something breaks, it’s an opportunity to clarify something, strengthen a relationship, build something new or stronger than what was there before. However, this role is vast and it will certainly stretch me.”
Michael felt well prepared for the role. He had reported to the previous president, Sozan Miglioli, for six years as the Programs Director, the City Center Director, and as Chief Financial Officer. These positions deal with many of the same issues the president handles.
“Before coming to SFZC I had been in executive management at a global bank, managing managers in an organization with many moving parts, sitting in the midst of things that needed to be improved. I find my strength when there is some sort of crisis. It grounds me. I have more of a struggle when I am bored.”
As President, Michael oversees the operations of Zen Center, working closely with the Senior Director of Operations, Dana Velden. He supervises the Director of Zen Center Businesses, Michael Novak , who is SFZC’s liaison to Greens Restaurant, Enso Village, and Enso Verde. The Directors of the three temples, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Board Secretary all report to Michael. He serves on the Board of Greens as well as the SFZC board.
Michael explains his interest in the long term financial health of SFZC: “Coming out of Covid we’ve had to restructure our operations to meet new demands. I want to share my understanding that Zen work practice includes office work as well as the more traditional work of cooking or sweeping floors.”
“I’m helping to work on the friendliness of our organization. I want to foster an environment in which a greater diversity of people will come to San Francisco Zen Center and feel that this is home.”
Michael wants to start partnering with many organizations in San Francisco. He is building a relationship with The Commons, a shared workspace a few blocks from City Center, which focuses on creating diverse community and attracts many tech workers. Michael and CFO Kogetsu Jenny Mok will offer a series of four classes there, Building a Spiritual Practice, starting in September and every other month thereafter through March. He is also working with the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Asian Art Museum, Kirsten Wolfe, to revive meditation in the galleries. He and Kogetsu Mok will give meditation instruction there, which will be filmed and shared on the Museum’s website as well as on SFZC’s website.
Michael first came to City Center for zazen in 2007, then attended an Introduction to Buddhism class. “I came for self-help, to calm my mind. I was drawn to the way Shikantaza (Zen meditation) is stepping courageously into the unknown. It helped me move in the universe with intentionality.” In 2009, Michael stayed at 300 Page Street for a three week summer intensive led by Paul Haller. That fall he moved to Tassajara where he studied for six years and began what has turned out to be a fifteen-year student stay.
Michael received lay ordination in 2011 and was ordained as a priest by his teacher Paul Haller in 2014. His Dharma name is Sozan Koki, Ancestral Mountain, Vast Function.
