Debra Annane

About Debra Annane

I work at the intersection of contemplative practice, public health, and collaborative social impact.Before joining Upaya Zen Center as Associate Director, I spent more than a decade leading behavioral health programs and managing socio-medical research and grant portfolios focused on toxic stress, chronic illness, maternal-infant health, and the social drivers of health. My work centers on building culturally responsive partnerships, co-developing programs with measurable social and health impacts, and aligning ancient wisdom teachings with evidence-based research to strengthen communities, improve health, and sustain collective well-being.With a background in anthropology and communications, my career began in media production, where I learned how powerful storytelling, especially when paired with meaningful data, can amplify understanding and spur skillful action. That perspective continued to shape how I approached my work in public health, as a leader and Zen priest engaged with building diverse partnerships, implementing sustainable systems, and developing ethical philanthropic strategies.I’m also a certified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR/MBP) teacher and enjoy facilitating programs for patients, clinicians, and diverse communities. I’m especially engaged with how cross-cultural contemplative practices support compassionate care and personal resilience while also informing organizational leadership and systems-level transformation.Using all the ingredients of my training and life, I love bringing people, ideas, and resources together in service of greater health, compassion, and joy. I’m deeply committed to socially engaged Buddhism and to expanding access to resources through scientific and spiritual frameworks that liberate individuals from stress and suffering and help us all evolve and thrive together.

Experience

1. Associate Director

   Upaya Zen Center

   Feb 2026 — Present · Santa Fe, NM, US

Education

• The University of Texas at Austin

  M.A.

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Master of Arts - MA

• Florida State University

  B.A

• University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

  Master of Public Health - MPH - Behavioral Health and Prevention

Skills

• Mindfulness
• Content Strategy
• Multimedia
• Film
• Video Production
• Community Outreach
• Digital Media
• Project Management
• Editing
• Post Production
• Public Health
• Social Media
• Broadcasting
• New Media
• Ehealth
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Television
• Producing
• Broadcast
• Chronic Care Management
• Research
• Video