After nearly 30 years Bob Gehman will transition to President Emeritus; Leadership comes from within as Dan Stoltzfus is elevated to Chief Executive
Helping Up Mission (HUM) today announced that longtime CEO Robert K. Gehman will be transitioning to a new role with the organization and that K. Daniel Stoltzfus has been named the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Stoltzfus brings to the position more than 25 years of leadership experience with mission-based organizations, including over four years as HUM’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).
After serving as HUM’s CEO for more than 28 years, Bob Gehman will transition to a new role as President Emeritus. In this role, Gehman will continue to provide support to HUM and new CEO Dan Stoltzfus by cultivating, strengthening, and expanding relationships with donors, partners, and foundations. Gehman will also continue serving in the classroom at HUM as his passion for mentoring and coaching leads him into this next career chapter.
During his tenure as CEO, Gehman led the growth of the organization’s long-term residential programs from 50 beds to over 600 beds for men, women, and children. Believing that the city that is recognized around the country for its inordinate drug problem should also be home to the most cutting-edge Spiritual Recovery Program in the country, Gehman lived this through his leadership at HUM and work supporting other similar organizations locally and nationally.
“Serving as HUM’s CEO for nearly three decades has been the highlight of my professional career,” explained Gehman. “We have evolved from an emergency shelter where men were sleeping on mattresses on the floor to a successful comprehensive residential program, operating both a men’s and women’s shelter and serving more than 500 individuals each day. I know from working with Dan over the past four years that his passion, dedication, and leadership will continue to push our mission forward.”
Gehman has developed a team of Senior Directors and managers along with notable strategic partners who collaboratively work together refining the Spiritual Recovery Programs which are believed by many to be the best in the state of Maryland. Many of the present team members are graduates of the program giving constant credence to its effectiveness.
As HUM’s COO, Stoltzfus provided leadership for the organization’s day-to-day programs and operations for the 600-bed community, including leading the opening of a 250-bed facility for women and their children. Stoltzfus also served as a liaison with HUM’s on-campus provider partners such as the John Hopkins University Cornerstone Clinic and GBMC Health Partners.
“I am extremely honored and humbled by this opportunity to become HUM’s next CEO and build upon the foundation Bob has laid for the organization over his nearly three decades as CEO,” said Stoltzfus. “We have made a tremendous impact in the communities we serve but we know there is still a lot of work to be done. I look forward to continuing the impactful work of my predecessor and strengthening my relationship with our donors, strategic partners, and the community as we help individuals overcome poverty, homelessness, and addiction in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.”
As part of its long-term strategic plan, HUM’s CEO transition has been a thoughtful and intentional process years in the making. The organization’s Board of Directors conducted a nationwide search in 2022 interviewing numerous candidates. Following completion of the interview process, Stoltzfus was identified as the best candidate for both his decades of leadership experience with mission-based organizations as well as his demonstrated impact and support of HUM over the past four years as COO.
“After the completion of our extensive search process, we are honored to have Dan as the next CEO of HUM,” said Bruce Mortimer, Helping Up Mission’s Board President. “Throughout the process, Dan demonstrated all of the characteristics the Board was looking for in HUM’s next CEO. The fact that he was also an in-house candidate with years of experience that we have witnessed first-hand, left us more than confident that he will lead the organization seamlessly into the future.”
Stoltzfus officially began his new role on January 1, 2023. On Thursday, January 19, HUM will host a ceremony welcoming Stoltzfus in his new role and honoring the impact of Bob Gehman with staff, volunteers, donors and strategic partners.
About Helping Up Mission
Helping Up Mission (HUM) is an IRS-designated 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1885 to meet the needs of Baltimore City’s and the surrounding counties’ poor and underserved residents. For 138 years, HUM has developed deep roots among the inner city’s poor and homeless, helping countless individuals overcome poverty, homelessness and addiction. HUM is located on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street in the Historic Jonestown community of Baltimore City.
Helping Up Mission serves hundreds of people daily in programs ranging from its Overnight Guest Services to the largest long-term recovery program in Maryland, the one-year Spiritual Recovery Program. For more information on Helping Up Mission’s full range of programs and services, visit helpingupmission.org.
