Meet Our Board
MEET YOUR TEAM OF EXPERTS
Dedicated experts with
proven records of safety
for the vulnerable.
R.M. Douglas, PhD
Historian | Sexual Violence Scholar
Ray Douglas is the Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor of History at Colgate University. In addition to his academic work on the history of conflict-related sexual violence, he is president of the Foundation for the Study of Male Rape and Sexual Assault (FMRSA) in Hamilton, NY. He serves as a consultant for universities and colleges seeking to address the problem of sexual offending on campus.
Douglas holds degrees from Trinity College, Dublin; the Ohio State University; and Brown University.
He is a parishioner at St Mary's Catholic Church in Hamilton, where he lives with his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Aoife.
Justin Holcomb, PhD
Episcopal Bishop | Seminary Professor
Dr. Justin S. Holcomb is the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and teaches theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. Justin and his wife, Lindsey, have co-authored numerous books: God Made All of Me: Helping Children Protect Their Bodies; God Made Me in His Image: Helping Children Appreciate Their Bodies; Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Sexual Assault Victims; and Is It My Fault?: Hope and Healing for Those Suffering Domestic Violence. He has written or edited over twenty books on abuse, theology, and biblical studies. In addition to GRACE, Justin also serves on the board for HeartSupport and Leaders Collective.
Website: justinholcomb.com
Twitter: @JustinHolcomb
Bettye M. Mitchell, MA
Nationally Recognized Leader on Elder Abuse Prevention | Advocate
Bettye M. Mitchell, MA is a nationally recognized leader in organization and program development with forty-five plus years of experience for older adults, persons with disabilities, in Long Term Care, and victims of abuse and trauma. Bettye served in every level of direct service and management and was promoted to serve as the Texas State Director for Adult Protective Service, Deputy Commissioner for Long Term Care Programs including Long Term Care Regulatory, Community Care Programs, and abuse within state hospitals and state schools with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Mitchell served as the Director of Professional Development for the Department of Family and Protective Services, having responsibility for the development and training of all staff for Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Child Care Regulation and Licensing Programs.
Bettye Mitchell recently retired from the East Texas Council of Governments, serving as Director of the Area Agency on Aging. Bettye is an advocate and consultant for vulnerable people. Mitchell served as the former President of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, the founding President of the National Adult Protective Service Foundation, and Vice President of the National Adult Protective Service Association. She currently serves on the Board of the National Partnership of Interpersonal Violence as fund development chair and was recently invited to serve on the Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler and serves on the Community Advisory Board for the University of Texas Medical School, serving on the admission of candidates for medical school. She has received numerous awards for her life’s work in Elder Abuse Prevention and advocacy within her community. Bettye is married to Gabriel N’Guessan and lives in Tyler Texas.
Emmanuel Tchividjian
Principal, Markus Gabriel Group
Emmanuel Tchividjian is the Principal and owner of the Markus Gabriel Group, an ethics consulting firm. He was a senior vice president and ethics officer at the public relations firm of Ruder Finn in New York City. Prior to joining Ruder Finn in 1997, Emmanuel worked for the Government of Switzerland organizing special media events on the issue of the Swiss banks and the Holocaust. He is the past president and ethics officer of the New York Chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America.) He is currently a board member of PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards and is a member of the Ethics and Compliance Initiative, the national professional association for managers of ethics and compliance programs. He frequently speaks on ethics, public relations, and crisis communication. Mr. Tchividjian has written articles for numerous publications such as Harvard Business Online, PR Week, PR News, and STRIVE Magazine. He has been a guest on CNN/FN, NY1, WGBH, and New England Cable News.
Website: www.markusgabrielgroup.com
X: @tchivie
Victor Vieth, JD
Director of Education and Research, Zero Abuse Project
Victor Vieth, JD, MA, is the Chief Program Officer for Education & Research for Zero Abuse Project. He is a former child abuse prosecutor who received national recognition for his work addressing child abuse in rural communities. He went on to serve as Director of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse. Mr. Vieth spearheaded the implementation of 22 state and international forensic interviewing courses. Mr. Vieth was also instrumental in developing Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) undergraduate and graduate programs now implemented in more than 90 colleges, universities, law schools, medical schools and seminaries in 30 states.
Mr. Vieth is a founding board member of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) as well as Sacred Spaces, which partners with Jewish institutions to prevent and respond to violence across the lifespan. Mr. Vieth developed the concept of Children’s Advocacy Center Chaplains and has assisted six accredited CACs in four states implement chaplaincy programs to address the spiritual needs of survivors of abuse. He also designed and teaches a seminary course on child abuse at Lutheran seminaries in Iowa and Pennsylvania.
Mr. Vieth has published numerous scholarly articles related to the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of child abuse and neglect. He is the author of “Unto the Third Generation,” an initiative outlining the necessary steps to eliminate child abuse in the United States within three generations. Mr. Vieth is also a prolific trainer who has taught thousands of child protection professionals from all 50 states and numerous countries.
Mr. Vieth has received numerous awards including the Victim Rights Legend Award from the United States Department of Justice, the Pro Humanitate Award from the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare, the Heritage Service Award from the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence (NPEIV), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute on Violence, Abuse & Trauma (IVAT).
Mr. Vieth has served on the board of directors of the National Children’s Alliance, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, and is past president and board chair of the Academy on Violence & Abuse (AVA).
Mr.Vieth holds degrees from Winona State University, Hamline University School of Law, and Wartburg Theological Seminary. His seminary thesis received highest honors and was later published as a book entitled On This Rock: A Call to Center the Christian Response to Child Abuse on the Life and Words of Jesus.
Andrew Singer
Andrew Singer is a Board Member at GRACE. He is deeply committed to GRACE’s mission and to ensuring the organization can sustainably serve individuals and families with compassion and integrity.
Professionally, Andrew brings over 12 years of experience in product management and business strategy, spanning medical devices, consumer products, and nonprofit leadership. He has led teams, launched new initiatives, and supported organizational growth through thoughtful planning and execution.
Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and lives in Minnesota with his family. Serving on the GRACE board is both a personal and professional passion, and he is honored to support the organization’s continued impact in the community.
The GRACE Board shares their heart.
The following video was recorded as part of the Every Church Empowered campaign. It gives a great snapshot into the passion and dedication of our amazing Board members.
Recorded on 11/4/2021