Our Team
Meet our team of dedicated and compassionate people who contribute their time, knowledge and experience to look after our community and help Samadhi thrive.
Staff
Hana Robertson (Yönten Tsolmo)
Operations & Community Coordinator
Hana found our Samadhi community in early 2023 whilst in search of a meditation practice that would enhance her wellbeing. Through David’s teachings on Mahayana Buddhism, something clicked for her, and she joined her first Samadhi silent retreat in July 2023. Since then, she has been a regular attendee of Sunday meditations, study groups and yearly silent retreats.
Hana has dedicated over 20 years to operations management, both in the corporate world and running her own consultancy specialising in change management and process improvement. She is very honoured to be able to share her skills and experience, dedicated to ensuring that Samadhi behind the scenes runs smoothly and efficiently.
Hana enjoys spending time in nature between her seaside home and her holiday home in the Pirin mountains. She loves hiking, skiing and swimming balanced with sound baths, acupuncture and meditation.
Trustees
Dorje Gyalpo 'David' Oromith
Co-Founder // Lead Instructor // Meditation Guide
David is a Buddhist contemplative, author, meditation guide and retreat leader. He is the Co-Founder of Samadhi and a qualified Mindfulness teacher, Mental Health First Aider, and an active member of the Association for Spiritual Integrity. He teaches workshops internationally and leads retreats across the UK. David hopes to inspire people to take back control of their thoughts and feelings and discover genuine wellbeing within. He understands what it is like to be an aspiring meditation practitioner living in the 21st century and believes these practices should be accessible to all.
Manu Oromith
Co-Founder // Yoga Teacher
Manu is the Co-Founder of Samadhi, a Mental Health First Aider and an accredited yoga teacher. He is often found behind the scenes making sure everything is working well, and on retreats, he guides our attendees through gentle but soothing yoga asanas and pranayama sessions.
Manu’s laid-back approach and kind heart has a warming and inspiring impact on our retreatants and he is much loved by all. He is also our Green Lead, and will be the guiding force behind making Samadhi Retreat Centre sustainable and eco-friendly.
Marie Dimond (Tashi Tsöndrü)
Trustee // Chair of Trustees
Marie joined her first Samadhi retreat in November 2022 and since then she has been practising meditation following David’s teachings. Experiencing the benefits to her mental health, she is very honoured to be able to share her skills and experience so others might also benefit from our wonderful Lama, Sangha and Dharma.
Marie first came across Buddhism through the teachings of the Dalai Lama and after visiting various temples across Asia. She is passionate about animals and the environment so Buddhism aligns well with her values. She is very keen to learn, having read many self-help books, and even having trained as a life coach. Her favourite mindful activities include cross-stitching, walks in nature, and cruising the canals.
Jasmine Mohtashami
Trustee
Jasmine started practising Buddhism in 2019 after a retreat in Kopan Monastery, Nepal. After returning she soon found the teachings of Lama Alan Wallace, and through him, David. The practice has changed Jasmine’s approach to happiness and relationships so deeply that she was excited to give back to her teachers and community by volunteering.
After a few years in media marketing, Jasmine now works in campaigns and communications in the migration sector. Apart from furthering her Buddhist studies she also enjoys writing, walking her pet ferrets and crafting.
Sara Bliss
Trustee
Sara has dedicated over 30 years to managing large-scale IT projects, bringing extensive experience and leadership to the field. In November 2022, she attended a Samadhi Buddhist retreat, a transformative experience that profoundly impacted her life.
Since then, she has continued her spiritual journey under the guidance of Lama David, who has provided support and wisdom through challenging times. Sara felt deeply honoured to be invited as a trustee of Samadhi, where she hopes to contribute to the charity’s mission and help others on their path.
Paul Billington
Trustee
Following an “existential event” in 2001, Paul embarked on a quest for meaning, exploring various religions and philosophies. He began meditating in 2005 and has remained dedicated to the practice, alongside volunteering as a Samaritan and completing mindfulness training. His journey led him to MBSR, where he recognised the Buddhist principles first encountered in 2001.
Inspired by the teachings of the Dalai Lama and Mahayana Buddhism through Lama David and Samadhi, Paul deepened his Dharma studies, taking his Buddhist refuge vow in February 2024 and joining the Samadhi Sangha. He is honored to serve as a trustee, eager to support the charity and its community. Paul is a bit of a geek alongside being a husband and dad. He loves his dogs, coffee and late night snacks… Though he should probably give up the snacks.
Volunteers
Shelly Saunders
Volunteer - App Developer & Website
Shelly first encountered the teachings of Lama Alan Wallace circa 2008 in London and has been a student ever since. She has also worked with the late Claudio Naranjo whose powerful retreats integrating Gestalt Group Therapy with Tibetan mediation where life-changing and challenging experiences. She is a qualified MBSR teacher.
After a many years as a software engineer, Shelly departed the rat-race for a life as a Digital Nomad, primarily working from all corners of Greece as a web and mobile application developer. She spends her free time exploring the extraordinary wilderness and nature of the Greek mountains and islands with her dogs.
Feel inspired to get involved?
Join Our Volunteer Pool for Casual and Project-Specific Support!
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team! Occasionally, we also have paid staff opportunities available.
If you’re interested in getting involved or finding out how you can help, simply click the button below to see our current needs and available positions. Your support makes a difference, and we’d love to have you on board!