Our Story
The Mission For the glory of God we steward our Founder’s legacy, wisely investing in Christian churches and non-profits where they effectively share the Gospel, bringing hope and healing to our broken world.
Harold C. Smith was born in the Bronx in 1934, where he was raised to value hard work, simple living and generosity toward others. He attended the prestigious Bronx Science High School. His aptitude for learning earned him a bachelor’s degree from Ursinus College, Master of Business Administration Degree from New York University, and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, where he was ordained. Harold received two Honorary Doctorates, one in economics from Ursinus College and one in Humanics from Springfield College. Harold’s acumen as a businessman and investor and devotion to Christ’s Kingdom equipped him for a half-century in dual careers: as the Chief Investment Officer of the YMCA Retirement Fund, and as the voluntary pastor of the Unity Hill Church in Connecticut.
The Harold C. Smith Foundation was approved as a private foundation in September 2015. The Foundation was launched in 2017 under the auspices of Board Members and Program Managers, working together to continue Harold Smith’s legacy of careful stewardship and impactful grant-making in keeping with his mission, vision and areas of focus.
Jeff Whittle, President and Managing Partner of Ecclesia Construction Company, has 26 years of construction management experience. Ecclesia Construction Company tithes corporately and supports financially several organizations and individuals to advance the gospel, is involved in many outreach activities and trips through the non-profit Ecclesia Missions. Jeff oversees the Ecclesia staff of professionals, including Field Superintendents, Senior and Assistant Project Managers, Accountants and the company Chaplain. Jeff was a member and shepherding Elder of Steele Creek Church of Charlotte and is currently Vice Chair of Renew Our Community (ROC) in Rock Hill, SC. Jeff serves as the coordinator of an Advisory Team for a ministry in Guatemala, Central Christian Church of Guatemala in outreach efforts to the children in many villages throughout Guatemala.
Vanessa is the Chief Executive Officer of the Harold C. Smith Foundation. She provides organizational leadership and management for all Foundation programs and activities. Vanessa joined the Foundation when it launched in 2017, where she worked with founding members to buildout infrastructure and internal grant making processes. She held the position of Managing Director for 3-years and transitioned into the role of CEO at the beginning of 2020. Vanessa was a close friend of Reverend Smith and has a strong devotion to honoring his legacy. Vanessa is passionate about fulfilling the Foundation’s mission by building robust relationships with strongly aligned ministries, and implementing highly strategic, results focused grant-making programs. Vanessa has a Masters Degree with highest distinction, from Alliance Theological Seminary.
Hans C. Anderson resides in Trumbull, Connecticut, with his wife and three children. Currently, at Bridgewater Associates, Hans began his career in research and design under Douglas Trumbull, the father of visual effects for film, at Entertainment Design Workshop. His experience in product design and research spans from large, integrated processing systems to mobile/web apps to augmented & virtual reality systems.
Jamie Tong was born and raised in New York but was birthed with a global heart for seeing God’s glory fill the earth. She graduated from NYU Stern School of Business with a Finance/Economics degree and later pursued her Masters of Public Health from Liberty University. She has had the privilege to go on many short term trips all over the world to help people encounter the love of Jesus. She was planted in the Middle East for six years, growing and learning from the rich Arabic culture and beautiful people of Palestine and later Lebanon during the Syrian refugee crisis. Her focus was working with Arabic women and children.
Denny Mathews was born and raised in India in the crucible of missions where he learned first-hand lessons of faith and trust in the Lord, as he saw his parents live out their calling amidst great suffering and persecution. He moved to New York City in 1989 and graduated with honors from the City University of New York. Denny spent the next 22 years in the Financial Services sector, working in strategic roles in marquee organizations including Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and Bank of America. Denny joined United World Mission as CEO and CFO in 2016. He currently serves as the President of a global ministry, With Open Eyes, that is focused on fulfilling the great commission. Denny also serves as a teaching pastor at Steele Creek Church of Charlotte, is currently the Board Treasurer of the HCSF, a director on the board of Mission Nexus, and Chairman of the Board of Alpha Ministries.
Donald Gehlbach was born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York and a long-term resident of New Haven, Connecticut, served in several positions during his thirty-seven-year career with the State of Connecticut. Donald has been a Business Service Officer in the Division of Special Revenue and Fiscal Administrative Officer (Medical Services and Asset Management) in the Department of Corrections, and Fiscal Administrative Supervisor at the Department’s Juvenile Corrections Division. Donald, a nephew of Harold C. Smith, is retired and currently a resident of Wolfeboro Falls, New Hampshire.
Pierre Richard Arty, M.D. was born in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, and was raised in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, N.Y. Pierre attended Columbia College of Columbia University and S.U.N.Y. Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn. Pierre is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicines, specializing in the field of psychopharmacology to address issues such as Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and Psychosis. Pierre has served as the Director of the Kings County Addictive Disease Services, Deputy Executive Director of Kings County Hospital’s Behavioral Health Department, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at S.U.N.Y. Health Science Center in Brooklyn. He currently holds the position as Psychiatric Director for Housing Works where he provides psychiatric supervision and direct psychopharmacological treatment for adults. Pierre has received numerous awards for his help in improving medical care to the East Flatbush community, including the AMS Outstanding Community Service Award from the Aesclepius Medical Society. He serves as an Elder at Abounding Grace Ministries on New York City’s Lower East Side and is a Board member of World Compassion Fellowship, an international humanitarian and development organization.
Kurt currently is an officer of the Harold C. Smith Trusts, the YMCA Youth Foundation of the Central Atlantic Area, the World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees, and the McBurney-Morse Chapter of YMCA Alumni. He is also on the board of his condominium association. He volunteers as a commissioner to the Synod of the Northeast and serves on the permanent judicial commission of Monmouth Presbytery, both organizations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). His past volunteer service included the Israel-Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church, Saddle River Day School, Ecumenical Host at the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and as an officer of the Palisades Presbytery, Monmouth Presbytery, and each of the four churches which he has attended. In his working career, Kurt served as General Counsel of the YMCA Retirement Fund, Superintendent of the Eastern Christian School Association, General Counsel of the National Council of Churches, and research associate at Yale University.