The Sacramento Dharma Center (SDC) Board is pleased to introduce David Jarrell as the new SDC Operations and Development Manager.
Since its founding in 2016, the Dharma Center has relied on volunteers and individual donors to maintain operations. Over the past decade, COVID closures, the loss of key leaders, declining donor numbers, and a lack of volunteer participation have all placed increasing demands on the members of the SDC Board.
Following the successful 2025 Capital Campaign, which retired the center’s mortgage, an anonymous donor pledged $40,000 over two years to help fund a salary for a professional manager. At the same time, the Board developed a new strategic plan to guide the Dharma Center’s next decade.
Dave came on board on June 4, 2026, and as the Operations and Development Manager
will focus on implementing three strategic plan priorities:
- Building a stable and resilient financial future
- Strengthening donor engagement
- Fostering collaboration and community involvement
He will communicate regularly with donors on the impact of their giving and keep the sanghas informed about building and grounds projects. Dave will assist the Board and support the library and grounds committees. Working with the sangha boards, he will develop outreach and marketing materials to educate new members about the Dharma Center and to increase its visibility in the community.
Dave is a member of Valley Streams Zen Sangha, served as their board president, then treasurer, before taking on his new role with SDC. His background includes many years as a project manager in real estate and construction and a stint running a small performing arts company in San Francisco. Most 
recently, he worked as a grant writer for Eldorado County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates, a social service nonprofit. Asked about his new position, Dave said, “I am so fortunate to be able to contribute to this place, which has come to mean so much to me.”
Dave enjoys time with his family, which includes two grandsons, hiking, backpacking, and snow shoeing. He is also an avid cook.
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