Welcome to AZC’s New Support Staff

Welcome to AZC’s New Administrator:

Maida Barbour is joining the Austin Zen Center as the Temple Administrator. She has managed a number of small businesses including her own service dog training company. She grew up in a Quaker family who traveled the world leading interfaith study groups. She also volunteers with the local HIV/AIDS hospice.

She lives in Austin with her husband, three dogs, and an African Gray Parrot.

Maida will begin working in the AZC Office at 704 West 31st. Street on July 15th, 2021

Welcome to AZC’s Head Teacher Assistant:

Jess Engle is an artist with a simple mission: to make beautiful work that makes people feel extraordinary. She spent her childhood in Pakistan, Ethiopia, Cyprus, Malawi, South Africa and Togo and each place has had an influence on her aesthetic and perspective. Jess spent the first decade of her career doing brand strategy and marketing for global businesses and corporations. She’s had the opportunity to work at a start-up, creative advertising agencies and global marketing at a Fortune 500 company. After ending her corporate marketing career, Jess moved to Austin to pursue her dream of becoming an artist. Somewhere along the path she stumbled into the Austin Zen Center, and the rest is history. Jess is honored to accept a formal role of support for the Head Teacher, the Temple and the Sangha. She will be working on a variety of Special Projects, and may be contacted at jess@austinzencneter.org.