Rev. Shudo Paula Lazarz, President
Rev. Shudo Paula Lazarz is a 6th degree Black Sash in Shaolin Kung Fu and an ordained priest in the Soto Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. Her over two decades of study in the martial arts and Buddhist practice has been an exploration of the idea of the historical Shaolin Temple, culminating in Warrior’s Path Buddhist Academy.
Paula is a co-owner of Energy Fitness, Inc., Head Instructor at HealthKick Kung Fu and a Practice Leader at Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.
Eli Clarke, Secretary
Eli Clarke has been practicing martial arts for over 30 years. He holds a 3rd Degree Black Sash in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu .and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Mu Sul Kwon
Tae Kwon Do. Professionally, Eli is a TV Director of Photography/Cameraman, working in the business for close to 40 years. He is married and has a family.
He feels his martial arts background has a been a key contributor to his effectiveness in his professional field. The intense sonic and visual environments require total focus and in-the-moment presence at all times. He knows firsthand how the martial arts, qigong and meditation practice has been an enormous asset to his career and his life in general.
Adrienne Ciancetta, Treasurer
Adrienne Ciancetta, has been practicing Shaolin Kung Fu for the past 14 years. Her passion for the martial arts and desire for people to realize their full potential fueled the creation of Warrior’s Path Buddhist Academy. Her hope is that through the Academy, people will find enlightenment, stability and a sense of community that allows them to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Adrienne is a part-owner and business partner of Energy Fitness, Inc. Additionally, she is a principal at Lakeside Capital Advisors LP, and serves as Lakeside’s Director of Fund Management. She has over 10 years experience in commercial lending and real estate finance and operational roles.
Michael Zdeb, Director
Michael Zdeb is a partner in the Chicago law office of Holland & Knight. His practice involves both the business and private wealth practice areas in his representation of businesses and their owners. He also focuses on private company ownership and governance.
He started martial arts as a teen and enjoyed how the practice made him feel connected and energized. He felt the call to return to martial art practice, after having built a successful law career and after his busy family life started to slow down. Shaolin Kung Fu made sense to him because of its well-rounded curriculum and holistic approach to a balanced wellness.
He hopes to continue to be part of building community through these practices with his involvement in Warrior’s Path.
Norman Quinn, Director
Norman Quinn has more than forty years experience in the financial futures markets as an entrepreneur, broker and trader. He has held leadership positions for CS First Boston, Paine Webber, and UBS.
In addition to his work, Norman enjoys playing bass and practicing Kung Fu. He began studying Kung Fu twenty years ago at the age of 46 and believes that it is a fountain of youth and spirituality that has given him both a healthy mind and body. His goal is to share this with as many children, teen adults and seniors as possible by serving as a proactive member and director of Warrior’s Path.