David Smith

Dr. David Smith brings more than two decades of cross-cultural leadership and organizational experience to his role as co-founder and Executive Director of Short Strides. His deep roots in Papua New Guinea, where he was raised and later served in remote tribal communities, have uniquely shaped his commitment to grassroots educational development and international collaboration. Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Religious Education and a Master’s degree in Intercultural Studies, and has led in education efforts in multiple Asia-Pacific countries, partnering with national leaders to build sustainable, community-based solutions.

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His practical experience in complex international environments—combined with a background in software engineering, organizational strategy, and capacity-building—has equipped him to help develop scalable, culturally responsive solutions for underserved communities. At Short Strides, he leads with a vision to connect, equip, and support national partners through education and training that have long-term impact.