Nicholas (Nico) Wright (he/him), Director
Before coming to Quaker Center, Nico worked for many years at Casa de los Amigos, a Quaker Peace Center in Mexico City. At the Casa he practiced Hospitality, and worked to build community and receive groups and guests into Friends’ peacework. Nico is a member of Mexico City Friends Meeting. His daughter Agnita is a senior at San Lorenzo Valley High School.
Ben Hofvendahl (he/him), Maintenance Technician
Ben’s experience in forestry, construction, fire mitigation and permaculture makes him an excellent Maintenance Technician. He is married to Thistle (they/them) and they have a daughter Emmylou and a son Robin. Thistle and Ben were wed in the Redwood Circle at Quaker Center in 2022.
Cindy Bangs is Quaker Center’s Office and Hospitality Manager. She has lived in Hawaii, New Mexico, California and elsewhere, and prior to QC, lived and worked at the Dharma Treasure Meditation Retreat Center in Cochise, Arizona. Cindy enjoys helping care for the groups, guests and animals here, and she brings Buddhist sensibilities and experience to Quaker Center.
Carlos Angulo (he/him), Maintenance Assistant
Carlos grew up in Santa Cruz and is interested in communication, music, dance, movement, and good food. He lives in Ben Lomond.
Mark Runyan serves as Quaker Center’s Communications and Outreach Coordinator, where he is called to the work of building and deepening community. Guided by Quaker values of simplicity, integrity, and the transformative power of inward Truth, Mark sees outreach as a form of ministry—an invitation for Friends and seekers to connect with Spirit, nature and one another. Through storytelling and relationship building, he helps individuals and meetings find their way to Quaker Center’s programs, resources, and community life.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys kayaking in the Elkhorn Slough, backpacking in the Sierras, and reading fantasy novels. He and his wife recently welcomed their first child, Theo, and are learning together the joys and challenges of new parenthood.
