Executive Team
Dr. Robert V. Lee III left the church’s pulpit in 1989 to work toward his dream of living in an international community where people of all faiths and races work in concert with one another for the betterment of the global community as a whole. His humanitarian outreach started in Jacksonville, Florida with programs promoting racial reconciliation, improving inner-city schools and economic revitalization in distressed neighborhoods. Today, Dr. Lee continues to unite people in need with the people and organizations who have the resources to share with the less fortunate. Dr. Lee’s mission for Be The Change International (BTCI) and its partners is to utilize all available resources to empower individuals in need with opportunities to improve their lives and those of their families. Be the Change International’s programs work toward improving education, economic redevelopment, health education initiatives and affordable housing in distressed communities throughout the world.
Before Be The Change International, Dr. Lee enjoyed a successful career in business. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and continued graduate studies in journalism at the University of Georgia before earning a master’s of divinity from Yale University and a doctorate of theology from New York Theological Seminary.
Dr. Lee currently serves as Chairman of FreshMinistries, Inc. and as a non-stipendiary Canon for Outreach and Ecuminism in the Diocese of Florida. He has served parishes in Connecticut and Florida and as the Chairman of the Interfaith Sub-Committee of the 2005 Super Bowl Host Committee in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as a director for: St. Mary’s Outreach Ministry in Jacksonville, the Samaritan Center, Dignity-U-Wear, Christian Healing Ministries, and the Florida Council of Churches. By appointment of Florida’s Governor Jeb Bush, Dr. Lee serves as a member of the Governor’s Faith-based Advisory Board for the state of Florida. As a mayoral appointee, Dr. Lee serves on the Mayor’s Faith-based and Community Advisory Board for the city of Jacksonville. He is also the first head of a not-for-profit organization to serve as a Director on the Board of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Dr. Lee has served on the board of directors for the Jacksonville Interfaith Council, Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (HabiJax), and the Jacksonville Urban League. He is a member of the Compass Rose Society, an organization of the Anglican Communion serving the Archbishop of Canterbury. By appointment of Queen Elizabeth II, Dr. Lee has been inducted into the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Contact Dr. Lee: rvl@bethechangeinternational.org
Dr. Robert V. Lee III Founding Chairman, CEO, Be The Change International
1131 North Laura Street s Jacksonville, Florida s USA s 32206
Phone: 904.355.0000 s www.bethechangeinternational.org
Dr. Grob, ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2003, has worked with HIV/AIDS patients and educational programs throughout his career and, as Executive Director of Siyafundisa, has brought his expertise on the disease and fighting its many stigmas to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS education and prevention effort aimed at eradicating HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa.
Dr. Grob is a graduate of Drew University (BA, Ph.D.) with an Master’s of Divinity from Yale University. He served as an assistant professor of Religion and Ethics at Drew University, teaching courses in Religion, Social and Biomedical Ethics. Dr. Grob studied theology at Oxford University and has been an advisor to the banking and health care industries on questions pertaining to business, management and biomedical ethics.
Dr. Grob served as Vice President for Advancement at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida and has served on several boards. He currently serves on the board of The Outdoor Academy of North Carolina. He has taught Social Ethics and Religion at University of North Florida as an Adjunct Professor and has served as a priest associate at All Saints Episcopal Church.
Contact Dr. Grob: brg@bethechangeinternational.org
Dr. Bruce R. Grob Vice-Chairman, CFO, Be The Change International & Executive Director, Siyafundisa
Bishop David Beetge, born in Witbank, South Africa in 1948 worked in commerce for a time, completing his Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators examination and being Company Secretary of ICI (South Africa) Limited.
He received his theological education at St Paul’s Theological College in Grahamstown. He subsequently obtained both his Bachelor’s and Honour’s Degrees in Theology through the University of South Africa. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Theology from the University of Natal.
Bishop David was ordained deacon at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Johannesburg in December 1980 and was ordained priest at the same Cathedral in December 1981. He has served as curate at St Boniface’s Church, Germiston and was instituted as rector of St. Boniface’s Church, Germiston in April 1984 and as rector and archdeacon of Springs in January 1987.
Bishop David acted as Vicar-General in the absence of the Regional Bishop and was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of South Eastern Transvaal at the inauguration of the Diocese on January 6, 1990. He was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of South Eastern Transvaal on March 9, 1990. In January 1998 the name of the Diocese was changed to the Diocese of the Highveld.
The Diocese Daily faces many pressing and complex issues, including the scourges of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, incredible poverty and the challenges associated with the massive influx of immigrants from Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. A large proportion of the population lives in abject poverty, in informal settlements or shanty towns without basic access to water, sewage or electricity. In some rural areas, the rate of unemployment is as much as 80 per cent.
At Provincial level Bishop David has served in a number of key portfolios and is currently Dean of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa. In addition to his duties as Dean of the Province, he is Liaison Bishop for Provincial Staff; Liaison Bishop and Chair of Anglican HIV/AIDS programmes for Southern Africa; Co-Chairman of Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishops’ Consultation; Deputy Chairman of the CPSA Pension Fund Board Trustees (including the Pension Board Investment Advisory Committee); the Anglican Consultative Council Episcopal representative (Nottingham 2005); World Council of Churches Episcopal representative (General Assembly 2006); Co-Chairman of the International Anglican/Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission and member of the Lambeth Commission. His Diocesan portfolios include that of Chairman of St. Dunstan’s College Council; Chairman of Highveld Anglican Board of Social Responsibility and Chairman of Board for Theological Education and Reflection.
The Right Rev. David Beetge Bishop, The Anglican Church of South Africa
