Executive Staff

Pam Kearney, a fine arts graduate from the University of North Florida, joined FreshMinistries in 2004 and Be The Change International in 2007. As Director of Communications, Pam is responsible for the creation and implementation of promotional marketing strategies, production of newsletters, brochures, power point presentations and other communication materials needed by the initiatives functioning under Be The Ch

ange International’s partnerships. Prior to FreshMinistries and Be The Change International, Pam was employed as Marketing Director for Regency Square Shopping Center, Membership Manager of The Lodge at Ponte Vedra Beach, Marketing Consultant for Davidson Development and the Neighborhoods of World Golf Village, World Golf Village Merchants’ Association and the World Golf Hall of Fame Foundation.

Pam has served as Decorations Chairman (2002,2003) and Decorations Vice-Chairman (2004, 2007 and 2008) for the American Cancer Society’s premier fundraiser “Cowford Ball,” as Decorations Co-Chairman for The Wolfson Children’s Hospital “Art and Antiques Show” fundraising gala (2005 and 2008). Pam and her husband, Rob, own a real estate brokerage firm in Ponte Vedra Beach where she holds a Florida real estate license.

Contact Pam Kearney

Shelly Marino joined FreshMinistries as Director of External Relations in April, 2006 and Be The Change International in 2007. She brings with her a wealth of experience gathered during key posts in government, private industry and the Jacksonville Super Bowl.

Prior to joining the Be The Change International family, Shelly served as Vice President of External Affairs for the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee, Director of External Affairs and Communications for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC), Membership and Marketing Director of the Lodge and Beach Club at Ponte Vedra Beach and numerous years as an elementary school teacher for the New York Board of Education and the Overseas School of London.

Shelly, a New York native, graduated from Hunter College in New York with a B.S. degree in English history.

She has served on the board of directors for Hospice Northeast and the I.M. Sulzbacher for the Homeless in Jacksonville, Florida.

Contact Shelly Marino

Karen Lee was a co-founder of a technology company before joining FreshMinistries in 1994. Due to her extensive financial background and impeccable reputation for attention to detail and financial ethics, Karen was asked to consult with FreshMinistries and assist with the development of the young nonprofit organization’s accounting and business protocols. Karen’s appreciation of the organization’s mission and its understanding of the financial responsibility it has to its partners enticed Karen to join the FreshMinistries’ family as a full-time staff member in 1995. Thanks to Karen’s incredible organizational talents and her ability to simultaneously coordinate and administer over 20 city, state and federal grants, she was asked to join Be The Change International in 2007 and help its initiatives and partners meet its mission of helping individuals in need.

As Grants and Financial Manager, Karen is responsible for the financial monitoring of grants and overseeing all accounting functions for Be The Change International.

Karen continues to personally give back to her community by accepting several responsibilities at Southpoint Community Church.

Contact Karen Lee

Prior to joining FreshMinistries in 1996, Edye McCown worked for 12 years as an administrative assistant at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and served as assistant diocesan refugee coordinator for the Episcopal Migration Ministries, now referred to as Episcopal Relief and Development. As she coordinated with the numerous parishes in the Diocese of Florida on behalf of the ERD to arrange for the successful settlement of refugees, Edye’s warm charm and genuine interest in helping others proved to be a great comfort to those in transition and a huge asset to the ERD. Due to her reputation for attention to detail and her easy way with people, Edye was invited to join the bishop’s staff at the diocesan office in 1994 where she assisted the Canon for ecumenical and outreach ministries, Dr. Robert V. Lee III. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Lee founded FreshMinistries and asked Edye to bring her exuberant joy of life and positive attitude to FreshMinistries and serve as his executive assistant. With the founding of Be The Change International in 2007, Dr. Lee once again asked Edye to become involved in the day to day operations of Be The Change International, where her duties include assisting the Chairman and CEO, Dr. Lee, managing the Be The Change International’s office and full time staff, and coordinating volunteers.

1131 North Laura Street s Jacksonville, Florida s USA s 32206

Phone: 904.355.0000 s www.bethechangeinternational.org

A long-time commitment to racial reconciliation and justice for all people brought The Rev. Ronald M. Owen to join Be The Change International in 2008 as Director of Project Development. Before ordination Ron was a successful attorney in Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida. He received a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Kentucky, and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law. After a distinguished legal career he responded to a call to ordained ministry and earned a Masters in Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. During seminary he was extensively involved in the urban ministries of the Washington National Cathedral, working with the Canon Missioner, and the Washington Interfaith Network. He also was a Canterbury Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England.

Ron has a strong commitment to building partnerships with peoples of all faiths and races to open the paths to economic and social justice. The initiatives of Be The Change International in conjunction with the efforts of our partners, provide a means of bringing the beginning of full justice to those most in need.

Rev. Owen currently serves on the Board of The Cathedral Foundation, and previously served on the Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. He has been an educator in professional and faith-related programs, and has been heavily involved in the Kairos program of prison ministry. He has also served on the Ecclesiastical Court of the Diocese of Florida.

Contact Ron Owen