Education brings hope to a whole community.

Executive Director

Geshe Thubten Sherab’s passion for equitable access to education is rooted in his own family's experiences. Born in 1966 in Manang village in western Nepal, he was ordained at age 9 by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery. He studied at Kopan for 10 years under Lama Yeshe, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and other teachers before attending Sera Je Monastery for further studies. Geshe Sherab graduated with a Geshe degree in 1999, followed by a year at Gyume Tantric College. He has held significant roles within the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition, including headmaster of the Mount Everest School at Kopan and acting abbot of Kopan Monastery. After 12 years as Resident Teacher at Thubten Norbu Ling in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Geshe Sherab is conducting a global teaching tour.

Board Chair

Adam is an attorney who has been practicing law in New Mexico since 1997, primarily in the area of prisoners’ rights litigation and other civil, business and real estate matters.  He was formerly the County Attorney for Taos County, New Mexico, before being appointed as County Manager, where he oversaw 220 employees and an annual operating budget of more than $12 million.  Adam has served on the board of directors at Thubten Norbu Ling Tibetan Buddhist Center in Santa Fe, where as a student he has received teachings from Geshe Thubten Sherab and many others since 2002. 

Board Treasurer

More than 25 years ago, Ajna helped found Thubten Norbu Ling Buddhist Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico with the goal of creating a place where people could have access to authentic Tibetan Buddhist teachings and teachers. What began as a small community has grown over the years into an established center serving practitioners in Santa Fe and well beyond. Ajna has remained closely connected to the Center and its mission, and his involvement is an important part of his life and approach to community service. Ajna’s Buddhist practice has also influenced the way he approaches leadership and philanthropy, with an emphasis on compassion, responsibility, and creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, and support one another.

Professionally, Ajna is closely involved with the Inn of the Five Graces and his family’s longstanding work in Santa Fe in hospitality, international business, design, and historic preservation.

Ajna is passionate about opportunities for young people. He believes education extends beyond academics to include mentorship, athletics, exposure to different cultures and ideas, and the development of confidence and character.

Board Secretary

Clare Zurawski felt drawn to a career path in the social sector after formative international studies and travel in her 20s. Soon after, she was fortunate enough to begin studying Tibetan Buddhism with Geshe Thubten Sherab, and later served for nine years on the board of directors of Thubten Norbu Ling Buddhist Center. Clare’s professional work has spanned economic and social justice, sport for social change, and equitable education. A transplant from the Great Lakes region residing as a guest on New Mexico's Pueblo lands, she is based in Santa Fe and supports a portfolio of organizations as a freelance consultant and volunteer board member.