ABOUT

Board of Directors

The Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the management and affairs of FCM. This responsibility includes working with our Dharma Teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, to develop and oversee the realization of FCM's mission and vision; overseeing FCM's fiscal health and well-being; approving fund raising goals and campaigns; conducting strategic planning; overseeing organizational development; setting policies; formally appointing FCM's Dharma Teacher; and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Board members serve three-year terms and are elected at an annual meeting of the Board to serve staggered terms. Any FCM member who is interested in serving on the Board is encouraged to contact the current Board Chair.

Misti Oxford-Pickeral, Chair, was introduced to Buddhism in her 20s through the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron, and the Dali Lama. She studied and practiced Buddhism for many years on her own. She became a member of FCM in 2016. She is grateful for the opportunity to attend many FCM retreats, as well as participate in classes, workshops, and intensives. Misti is ordained in the Order of Interbeing. She enjoys sangha building, working in the kitchen, chanting, and serving with the Community Care Team. Misti is the Faculty Chair of Clinics for Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Gainesville, FL and maintains a private acupuncture practice. Misti and her husband Chuck are parents of three adult children, Alex, Emily, and Lincoln.

Dion Hall, Secretary, began his journey in Buddhism around 2009 with the Shambhala Meditation Center of    Boston, attending the center for about two years. He then went to practice and study on his own for a number of years. In 2021 with a strong desire to be part of a Sangha, Dion joined FCM. He is active with our retreat and intensive offerings. Dion is also an avid student of Buddhism and Vedic philosophy. He received transmission of the Five mindfulness trainings and became an OI aspirant in 2023. Dion is a 12 year Air National Guard veteran and works in the Information Technology industry as a Systems Administrator. He is currently pursuing a degree in Cyber Security. Dion resides in Temple Terrace, FL with his wife Katrina Goldstein.

Peggy Wallace, Treasurer, joined the Florida Community of Mindfulness in 2020, after many years of being a “book Buddhist” sparked an interest in seeking out a teacher for guidance and direction. She has been fortunate to attend many workshops and retreats, and to have benefited from joyful participation in FCM’s intensives. She is an active member of the kitchen team and the flower team, and is privileged to co-host new member dinners regularly. She enjoys sangha building and selfless service, and holds a deep admiration and appreciation of the FCM core values and mission. Peggy is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, serving the HIV+ community through her work with BayCare. Prior to nursing, Peggy enjoyed a career as a Social Worker, also in service to those living with HIV. She lives in the Seminole Heights neighborhood in Tampa with her husband, Daniel, and their two rowdy dogs, Olive (12) and Ruby (11).   

Ray-lyn Barnett, Operations Leader, began a secular meditation practice in 2015. She visited Florida Community of Mindfulness for the first time in 2016 to learn about Buddhism and became a member shortly thereafter. She received transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings in 2018 and became an aspirant in the Order of Interbeing in 2023. Ray-lyn has worked in public accounting for over 30 years and is currently an Audit Principal for a national CPA firm. She lives in Wesley Chapel with her husband, Jay, and has two adult children, Katie and Trey.

Raven Dreifus-Kofron, as a seeker learning about different paths, was curious about Mindfulness and found the Florida Community of Mindfulness in 2018. She was drawn to the leadership, community, and common sense tools and skills, and joined right away. Since joining FCM, she is active helping and coordinating New Membership, Sangha Building, Teas, Dinners, Spiritual Friends groups, Thanksgiving and other selfless service opportunities. Her career included advertising, corporate communications and corporate recruitment. She has also been practicing Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga and meditation for eighteen years and  loves the congruence of the messages. In addition to her practices, she enjoys time with friends, the beach, and buying and selling vintage/retro. Raven, her husband Keith, and dog Leela, live in Brandon. 

Priyanka Handa has been learning about mindfulness in eastern thought since the early 2000s but was formally introduced  to the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh in 2019. She began formal practice and attending weekly sangha with Florida Community of Mindfulness in Naples at this time, just before the pandemic. Priyanka Handa is a practicing diagnostic radiology physician with a fellowship in breast cancer imaging. Priyanka Handa lives with her husband Usman Mian, an Emergency Room physician, and their two children Shaan and Sonia, in Naples, FL. 

Brent Hall joined the Florida Community of Mindfulness in 2019. He has been active in the community serving on the A/V team, as well as participating in intensives, retreats and selfless service. Brent is a manager with the Pinellas County Government. He attends Sangha in Tampa with his wife Dani. They live in Clearwater with their two adult children Brendan and Connor.

Carl Newman joined FCM in the spring of 2022 through an introduction to mindfulness and meditation class. After a lifetime of spiritual practice within the Unity Church, transitioning to the Dharma with Fred and the FCM Sangha felt both natural and joyful. Beyond FCM, Carl serves on several boards, including the National Science Foundation’s Earth Observation Laboratory. Professionally, he leads a team of hurricane hunters.  Carl is married to Amy and is the father of two adult children, Chris and John. He finds his greatest joy in the garden, especially when working alongside fellow members of the Sangha.