Lee, Razim, Stoever Join Episcopal Relief & Development Board of Directors
January 13, 2015
Episcopal Relief & Development welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors: The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago; The Rev. Canon Genevieve Razim, Canon for Welcome and Evangelism at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas; and Mr. Thomas W. Stoever, Jr., partner at Arnold & Porter LLP and member of Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver, Colorado.
“I am delighted to welcome three excellent new members to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board of Directors,” said The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, who begins his new term as Board Chair. “These individuals possess a breadth of experience and expertise that will benefit Episcopal Relief & Development immensely, helping the organization to engage Church leaders and congregations more deeply in working for social justice and global development.”
The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee is the twelfth bishop of Chicago, a position he has held since 2008. He is the author of “Opening the Prayer Book” in the New Church’s Teaching Series, a former member of CREDO Institute, and has served on the boards of the North American Association of the Diaconate, the Council of Associated Parishes and Affirming Catholicism. He served on the Advisory Committee of the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund and has led the Diocese of Chicago in numerous efforts to increase awareness and support for Episcopal Relief & Development’s work worldwide.
The Rev. Canon Genevieve Razim was ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in 2007 and served as associate rector at Palmer Memorial in Houston and Trinity in The Woodlands before beginning her ministry at Christ Church Cathedral. In 2013, she was President of the Standing Committee and Chair of the Sharing Faith Dinners. At The Regis School of the Sacred Heart in Houston, she initiated and led the annual summer service retreat with Cathedral Urban Service Experience.
Mr. Thomas W. Stoever, Jr. has been a member of Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver for 20 years, serving as senior warden from 2009-2014. During that time, the mission and ministry of Saint John’s grew to include a women’s homeless shelter, and new and broader support for programs that assist homeless individuals and the working poor. He and his wife lived in the Philippines from 1984-87 and witnessed first-hand the value of working through local organizations on political and economic development.
“I very much look forward to working with our three new board members, and I join Episcopal Relief & Development’s staff and board in welcoming them wholeheartedly,” said Rob Radtke, the organization’s President. “Their collective experience in parish ministry, community organizing and non-profit governance will be a tremendous gift, helping us achieve new levels of outreach and engagement while deepening our programmatic impact.”
Lee, Razim and Stoever join Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board effective January 1, 2015. Board members are invited to serve three-year terms, which may be renewed once.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating under the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, Episcopal Relief & Development is governed by a Board of Directors that includes clergy and lay leaders from around the country. The Honorary Chair of the Board is the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori. Members of the board are nominated by the Presiding Bishop and the Chair of the Board of Episcopal Relief & Development, with assistance from the board’s Governance Committee. New members are then elected by the board, and this decision is ratified by the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.
For more information about the Board of Directors, please visit our Board and Staff page.
Episcopal Relief & Development works with more than 3 million people in nearly 40 countries worldwide to overcome poverty, hunger and disease through multi-sector programs that utilize local resources and expertise. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with Anglican Communion and ecumenical partners to help communities rebuild after disasters and develop long-term strategies to create a thriving future. In 2014-15, the organization joins Episcopalians and friends in celebrating 75 Years of Healing a Hurting World.
