Meet Robbie Rettmer | Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robbie Rettmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robbie, how does your business help the community?
Drala Mountain Center (DMC) is situated on 600 acres of native forests, gentle meadows and sweeping valleys at 8,000 feet in Northern Colorado. For over 50 years, DMC has been a refuge for meditation, spiritual exploration, and personal transformation.
Through immersive retreats, wisdom teachings, and just being on this sacred land, we provide experiences that cultivate peace, deepen awareness, and create kind communities. As our world becomes increasingly chaotic and filled with uncertainty, we offer a sanctuary for stillness, insight, and meaningful human connection.

DMC is unique in it’s ability to provide retreats on introductory and advanced meditation, mindfulness, yoga, wellness, and creative expression that blend deep practice with the healing presence of the natural world. We have a commitment to accessibility through scholarships and community-supported programs

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Robbie has extensive experience in organization and leadership development. She has successfully managed, designed, and facilitated award-winning programs to develop leaders at all levels from the need assessment phase to final delivery and evaluation. Her strengths include connecting closely to the mission and strategic goals of an organization to build human capability and achieve successful change. She has partnered with senior leaders for system-wide change initiatives at Bank of America, Ford Motor Company, ConAgra Foods, GE Aviation, and others.

Robbie has practiced and studied Buddhism and other wisdom teachings since 1985, including being in numerous group and solo meditation retreats. She is a Nalandabodhi Karunika and meditation instructor under the guidance of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Loving outdoor adventures, she has climbed and backpacked hundreds of miles with her husband, Patrick. Her last pilgrimage was in 2023 to Nepal and Mount Kailash in Tibet.

Now, Robbie is on the greatest adventure to bring it all together for DMC.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I’m at DMC, I would say come up and visit! Experience the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, practice on the land, and enjoy the rest and relaxation.

If I’m at my home in Boulder, I would go for a hike with my friend at Chautauqua Park or Eldorado. Definitely a trip up to Nederland. Red Rocks if there is a good concert. Santos or Osaka restaurants, if we wanted to go out to dinner. And for sure, dinner at home because my husband is one of the best cooks I know.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our committed staff of dedicated, creative individuals provide a relaxed and protected container for meditation and renewal. From our food, lodging, venues, gift store, and more, each of us work every day to provide a quality experience.

Our Governing Council, or board members, also deserve a shoutout for their guidance and commitment to building sustainability at DMC.

Website: https://www.dralamountain.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralamountain/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=dralamountaincenter

Image Credits
Devin Crowbear
Greg Smith
Patrice DiChristina
Barb Colombo