Be The Change Volunteers
  • Home
  • Join A Project
  • Donate
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • FAQ's

Co-Founders

Since 2007 Be The Change Volunteers Co-Founders Jimi and Cristi Cook have maintained an active role in the organizations leadership.  With the support of friends, familly and trusted advisors they work closely with the executive team to fulfill the organzation mission. 
​
​Jimi Cook
Co-Founder
Columbia, MO
Picture

Jimi and Cristi Cook founded Be The Change Volunteers in 2007 during a supposed “one-time” school-building project in Rwanda (BTCV 001).  The organization has grown beyond its wildest dreams, and more importantly, has held true to its mission of empowering communities through sustainable education-focused development aid.  Jimi’s BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for BTCV is to complete at least 100 projects during his lifetime. In his “day job”, Jimi serves as the Allen Distinguished Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics and Mizzou BioJoint Center at the University of Missouri.

Cristi Cook
Co-Founder
Columbia, MO
Picture

​Cristi is the Co-founder of Be the Change Volunteers.  She and her husband Jimi have served and led teams on education-focused development aid projects all over the world.   Cristi volunteers countless hours each year recording and depositing donations for BTCV among many other tasks that keep the organization's lights on every day.  In her “day job,” Cristi serves as an assistant professor for the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics and Mizzou BioJoint Center at the University of Missouri and a "freelance" veterinary radiologist.


Executive Team

Grant Venable
​Director of Change
Phoenix, AZ

Picture
Grant is the Director of Change at Be The Change Volunteers.  He leads teams and provides project support globally to partners in Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and the Pacific Islands.  He works with NGOs, mission organizations, and community activists to identify, evaluate, and complete education-focused projects. This includes identifying the underlying problems specifically related to infrastructure, equipping, training, and cultural differences at schools in underdeveloped countries. He manages the relationships between the local community leadership and the BCTV US-based leadership team. Together they determine how to appropriately address these challenges and collaborate for a successful deployment of resources. He is experienced in the business sector, construction, international project management, and emergency medical rescue (SAR/EMT).  Grant lives in Arizona with his wife Rachel and their two daughters.  The family loves warm weather, serving at church, and the outdoors!  

Debbie Waggoner
Executive Coordinator of Change
Columbia, MO
Picture

Debbie retired from State Farm Insurance in September 2016 after working there for over 40 years.    She now serves as Executive Coordinator of Change and Chief Compassion Officer for BTCV.  Working daily with the co-founders and director, Debbie ensures that every volunteer is taken care of.   She follows her passion for going on builds to help change lives and build relationships with Changers and the people of the communities where BTCV has projects.  Debbie has been on builds in India, Malawi, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Puerto Rico.  

Thato Mabena
Director of Field Operations, Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Picture

Thato is the Director of Field Operations for BTCV Africa.  He lives in Johannesburg, South Africa where he provides direct support to volunteers serving on projects in Africa.  Thato works directly with Community and School Partners to plan and implement the successful phases of education infrastructure projects.  Thato also manages the BTCV Kids scholarship program communicating daily with schools, students, and sponsors.  Thato has served on and evaluated projects in Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, India, Peru, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico.  He is a graduate of Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria with a degree in photography.  He is certified as a Wilderness Medical First Responder.  In his free time, he enjoys time with his family, photography, reading, jogging, traveling, and serving others.




Advisors

Be The Change Volunteers is grateful for the generous participation of volunteer advisors, team leaders, and stakeholders.  
​
Ted Kettlewell 
Vice President
OCCI, Inc
​Columbia, MO​
​
Dusty Hoffman 

Captain Governor Security Division, Retired
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Columbia, MO
​
Peter Stiepleman 
Retired Superintendent, Advisor, Author, and Podcaster
Pacific Northwest
​
​
Tracy Line Itty, MPH 
Public Health Consulting
Consultant/Advisor 

Scottsdale, Az

Herb Bischoff 
School Psychologist, Retired
Retired
​Palmer, Ak


Paul Dorr, DVM, PhD, MACE
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Principal Scientist, Clinical

Columbia, MO​

Scott Daugherty  
Owner
Fairway Meadows Corporation 
Columbia, MO

Antonio Pozzi 
Professor of Veterinary Surgery
University of Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland

Stefano Pozzi
Business Advisor
Retired
Genoa, Italy


Diane Lewis 
Veterinary Dermatologist 
Capital Veterinary Specialists
Tallahassee, FL


Stacie Williams 
OTR/L,CCRP 
E. Carolina Vet Referral 
Wilmington, NC​

​Ned Williams 
Veterinary Surgery
E. Carolina Vet Referral 
Wilmington, NC

Gary Ford
Attorney - Retired
Legal Advisor  
Chevy Chase, MD

Deb Ford
Legal Assistant - Retired
​Parent Teacher Association Advisor
Chevy Chase, MD
Marc Scott 
Chief Investment Officer 
Country Club Trust Company
Kansas City, Mo
​
Brian Van Vechten

VRCC - Retired
Englewood, Co

​Maddy Licocci, M.Ed BCBA 
Exceptional Education Teacher
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Nashville, TN
​

Julie Estes
Central Christian School
​Retired
St. Louis, Mo

Pam Plouhar
Johnson & Johnson-Execcutive Suite
South Bend, In

Erin Burri
Remax
Columbia, Mo

Brad Martens 
Manager Outpatient Service
Missouri Orthopedic Institute
Columbia, MO

Shari Hamilton 
Veterinarian
IDEXX
Columbia, MO

Doug Willett
Executive Vice President
Commercial Development Company, Inc
Chicago, IL

John Heidrich
Ventena Animal Clinic - Retired
Albuquerque, NM

Linda Karl
Compliance Manager
Missouri Employers Mutual 
Columbia, MO

Bailey Womble
Special Education Teacher 
School of the Osage - Heritage Elementary 
Lake Ozark, MO

Chapter Presidents & team Leaders

Kristan DePreist - Chapter President
Columbia Mo Chapter


"Uncle Al" Rohlfing - Team Leader
Liberty, Mo
Eric Glenn - Chapter President
Kansas City, Mo Chapter


Raul Gonzalez - Team Leader
Kansas City, Mo

Leadership
Annual Reports
Gallery
Corporate Changers
Chapters
Financials

Send us snail mail:
Be The Change Volunteers
503 E Nifong
#230
Columbia, Mo 65201

Our volunteers check our PO BOX monthly so thanks for your patience on replies and tax receipts! 
Be The Change Volunteers is proud to be a
Guide Star Exchange Gold Participant
Picture

    CONTACT US

Submit