Sozan Michael McCord serves as the current President of San Francisco Zen Center and has been a resident practitioner there since 2009. Throughout his time with the organization, he has taken on several leadership roles, including Director of City Center (Beginner's Mind Temple) from 2019 to 2021 and Chief Financial Officer from 2021 to 2024. Earlier in his practice, he served as Ino (Head of the Meditation Hall) and Tenzo (Head Cook) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.
He was ordained as a Zen priest by Ryushin Paul Haller in 2014. Before entering Zen practice, he worked in the technology and financial sectors. He also earned a BA in Theology from Ambassador University and volunteered in Amman, Jordan, with the Ambassador Foundation, supporting vocational training for people with developmental disabilities.
His journey brings together spiritual practice, service, and leadership, all rooted in a deep dedication to the teachings of Soto Zen.