Susan Myoyu Andersen, teacher of Great Plains Zen Center (GPZC) studied for over twenty years with Taizan Maezumi Roshi at the Zen Center of Los Angeles. In 1978, she was ordained as a Buddhist monk and in 1995 Maezumi Roshi gave her shiho (Dharma transmission), authorizing her to become a Zen teacher. In May of 2006, Myoyu Roshi received Inka from Genpo Roshi of Kanzeon Zen Center. She is also the mother of two children, and works as an occupational therapist with individuals who have developmental disabilities.

Dokai Georgesen began his study of Zen Buddhism at Minnesota Zen Center under the direction of Dainin Katagiri Roshi in 1974.  Upon his return in 1982 from two years on pilgrimage studying Buddhism in India and Japan, he lived at Hokyoji until his ordination in 1984.  In 1989, he received dharma transmission from Katagiri Roshi.  Since then, he has returned to Japan several times to study under Ikko Narasaki Roshi, Tsugen Narasaki Roshi and Taizan Maezumi Roshi.  He has also practiced at Plum Village in France under the direction of Thich Nhat Hanh.  He returned to Hokyoji in June, 2003, and is now its resident teacher.

Tonen O’Connor is the resident priest at the Milwaukee Zen Center.  She received ordination from Tozen Akiyama in 1994 and dharma transmission in 1999. She trained   in Japan at Shogoji and with Sekkei Harada Roshi at Hosshinji. For over ten years she   worked extensively with inmates within the Wisconsin correctional system, is active in interfaith programs, and is a past President of the Board of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association.  Prior to entering the Zen world, Rev. O’Connor had a 40-year career in the professional theater and was managing director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater from 1974-1995.

Zuiko Redding is the resident teacher at Cedar Rapids Zen Center.  She practiced at Milwaukee Zen Center with Rev. Tozen Akiyama and at Minnesota Zen Center with Rev. Dainin Katagiri in the 1980s.  In January, 1992, she received novice ordination in Japan from Tsugen Narasaki Roshi.  She practiced under his direction at Zuioji Senmon Sodo and its sub-temple Shogoji until her return to the U.S. in 1997.  She received dharma transmission from Rev. Narasaki in July, 1996.  She also holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Before ordination, she taught demography and social research methods at the university level and was a researcher with the Wisconsin State Center for Health Statistics.

Rosan Yoshida, founder and director of Missouri Zen Center, received dharma transmission from Dainin Katagiri Roshi in 1989 and from Tsugen Narasaki Roshi in 1993. He was certified by Soto Shu as an international teacher in 1994.  He earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University and M.A. from Tokyo University and he presently teaches at Toyo University, dividing his time between Japan and the U.S. He is the author of NO SELF - A Systematic Interpretation of Buddhism and Limitless Life: Dogen's World as well as other articles and translations. He is an active participant in the Parliament of the World's Religions, and in promoting the Global Ethic and peace.  He is a primary founder of the Global System Ethic Association.

Brad Warner is a dharma heir of Gudo Wafu Nishijima and the author of the books Hardcore Zen and Sit Down And Shut Up. His third book, Zen Wrapped In Karma Dipped In Chocolate came out in February 2009. When not teaching and practicing Zen or writing, he plays bass for the hardcore punk band 0DFx (aka Zero Defex), and is the former vice president of the Los Angeles office of the company founded by the man who invented Godzilla.