Women Leaders in Buddhism: Empowering Women in the Dharma

The 2026 Speaker Series

We warmly invite you to join us for Women Leaders in Buddhism: Empowering Women in the Dharma, a free interactive series offered to our full  community by The Lenz Foundation. During 2026, we are presenting talks aligned to the four seasons.

Fall Theme: Lama Pema Khandro, Harvesting and Sharing Our Wisdom as Women – September 28, 2026

Lama Pema Khandro smiles at the camera.Pema Khandro is a scholar-practitioner and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. She holds a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Virginia and is an Assistant Professor of Buddhist Studies, specializing academically in the history of Dzogchen, women in Buddhism, and Tibet’s Buddhist yogis. An authorized Lama and lineage holder in the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions, she is one of the few Westerners recognized and enthroned as a tulku, a Buddhist leader who carries on the lineage of a predecessor. Since 1999, she has been authorized to ordain students into the non-monastic yogic lineage of naljorpas and ngakpas.

As a teacher, she specializes in Vajrayana, Dzogchen, and Chöd, with a particular commitment to making in-depth training accessible to lay practitioners and householders. She brings a body-mind orientation to this work as a certified Tibetan Naturopath, Ayurvedic practitioner, and three-time certified Advanced Hatha Yoga teacher. She is the founder of Ngakpa International, which oversees the Dakini Mountain Retreat Center, the Buddhist Studies Institute, and the Yogic Medicine Institute, and continues to teach, research, and build community through these projects today.

 
Register for September 28, 2026 Women Leaders in Buddhism
Summer Theme: Roshi Joan Halifax, Bringing the Dharma to Life – June 29, 2026

Roshi Joan Halifax looks at the camera.

Roshi Joan Halifax’s interview by Ayo Yetunde presents a vision of leadership that is deeply rooted in Buddhist practice while also being fully engaged with the challenges of today’s world. Rather than emphasizing techniques or organizational strategy, she speaks about the inner qualities that allow leaders—especially women leaders—to serve wisely and courageously. Her reflections are grounded in decades of experience as a Zen teacher, activist, founder, and mentor. Roshi is Founder, Abbot, and Head Teacher of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Here are some of the central themes of her interview:
  • Joy is a leadership practice—not an escape from reality
  • Leadership is responsive service, not personal ambition
  • Women leaders should stop asking permission
    Mistakes are among our greatest teachers
  • Women leaders must remain resilient amid criticism
  • Integrity is the foundation of leadership
Watch this wise and heartfelt video!
Spring Theme: Judy Lief, a Teacher’s Journey of Discovery – April 30, 2026
Judy Lief looks at the camera.
Buddhist teacher Judy Lief reflected on more than five decades of leadership, teaching, and practice and reflected on lessons learned along the path–including tenacity, support for cancer survivors, death and dying, and diverse forms of service. Rather than presenting leadership as a set of techniques, she described it as a deeply personal journey rooted in authenticity, presence, and service. Drawing on her own experience as a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and later as a teacher, editor, and leader within the Shambhala community and Naropa University, Judy shared how many of her most important opportunities arose unexpectedly, requiring her to move beyond self-doubt and trust the Dharma rather than her own sense of readiness.
Judy emphasized that genuine leadership is not about status or authority, but about creating the conditions in which others can flourish. She encouraged participants to prepare diligently, then let go of rigid plans so they could meet each moment with openness and deep listening. Speaking candidly about fear, vulnerability, and working within patriarchal institutions, she noted that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite it. She also highlighted the importance of mentoring younger leaders, especially women, encouraging them to trust their own voices, step into opportunities, and develop confidence through experience rather than waiting to feel completely prepared.
The conversation concluded with a thoughtful dialogue about the responsibilities of Buddhist leadership today, including how communities can foster growth while preventing harm.
Winter Theme: Diane Musho Hamilton, on Power Dynamics – January 26, 2026
Diane Musho Hamilton smiles at the camera.
Balancing Leadership and Spirituality – Diane shared her experiences as a female leader in Buddhism, discussing the challenges and opportunities of balancing receptive and active qualities in leadership. She emphasized the importance of integrating both masculine and feminine aspects, as well as developing emotional maturity and communication skills. Diane also addressed power dynamics in leadership, suggesting that understanding and teaching about power is crucial for spiritual growth. She concluded by highlighting the fundamental purpose of Dharma teachers to share and support the recognition of our commonality and the importance of working with differences in Sangha relationships.
Teacher Pay Equity and Leadership – A participant raised concerns about pay equity among teachers, noting significant gender disparities in compensation. Diane acknowledged these issues and discussed the need for organizations to review and address compensation fairly, while also emphasizing the importance of balancing spiritual and material aspects of leadership. Diane shared her personal choice to maintain a separate day job to avoid potential ethical dilemmas related to student support of her livelihood. The conversation highlighted the complexity of addressing pay equity in spiritual and educational contexts, with Diane suggesting that creativity and different approaches to compensation could be considered.
Buddhist Leadership and Conflict Resolution – Diane shared her experiences and insights on leadership, conflict resolution, and systemic change within Buddhist institutions. She emphasized the importance of embodiment and consciousness in managing differences and conflicts, advocating for practices that help individuals stay present and learn from disagreements. Diane also discussed her involvement in systemic initiatives, such as addressing race bias in the Utah Judiciary, highlighting the natural progression from personal to institutional and systemic change. Participants asked questions about inspiring collaboration, resolving conflicts, and addressing systemic issues, with Diane providing guidance on fostering a culture of appreciation and encouraging individuals to embrace differences.

Women Leaders in Buddhism:
Empowering Women in the Dharma Series:
2025 Program Presentations

Based on outstanding reports from the 2024 – 2025 Women Leaders in Buddhism grant theme, The Lenz Foundation hosted online meetings where women in Buddhism shared information about projects and built on the momentum of leadership.

In these films, exemplars gave five-minute presentations describing programs that demonstrate the unique insights and bold visions of American Buddhist women.

Everyone who attended shared programs and voices during the breakout rooms and group summaries.

To learn more about the Women Leaders in Buddhism programs, visit: Women in Buddhism Grants