Dōshin Mako Voelkel began formal practice at San Francisco Zen Center Beginner's Mind Temple in 1997 and entered residency there in 2001. In 2002, they left a philosophy teaching role at City College of San Francisco to enter monastic practice at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Mako received priest ordination from Ryushin Paul Haller in 2004 and served as Shuso in 2009.
After ten years at Tassajara in roles including Fire Marshall, Work Leader, Tenzo, Ino, and Director, Mako set out on a year-long pilgrimage through Asia and Europe. In 2013, they moved to Austin Zen Center as Tanto, and in 2017 became Head Teacher. Mako received Dharma transmission from Ryushin Paul Haller in 2018. In 2022, they accepted the invitation from the SFZC Board of Directors to become Abiding Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center Beginner's Mind Temple, formally ascending the mountain seat in March 2023 and now serving as City Center Abiding Abbot.
Mako is a full member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA), the American Zen Teachers Association (AZTA), and the GenX Buddhist Teachers Sangha.