CARY, N.C. – Harry Nelson, a recognized leader in the faith-based investing industry with strong ties to N.C. Baptist life, was named president-elect of the N.C. Baptist Foundation by a unanimous vote of the foundation’s board of directors during a special-called meeting held Monday, May 15.

The board’s approval of Nelson came after the foundation’s executive committee affirmed his candidacy during a meeting held last week following a recommendation by a search committee.

Nelson, whose 30-year career includes experience in virtually every aspect of investments and financial services, called the new role a further integration of his professional and personal lives.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to build upon the rich legacy of the N.C. Baptist Foundation,” Nelson said. “For more than 100 years, N.C. Baptists have placed their trust in this organization and its staff to steward assets that ultimately benefit causes for the kingdom. Over the last several years, my professional career and my calling as a Christian have further merged in a number of ways. I’ve seen God’s providence at work, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds in this new role.”

Nelson has spent the last 6-½ years in a variety of leadership positions with Eventide Asset Management, a values-based investment firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, whose investing philosophy is “rooted in a biblical worldview,” according to the firm’s website. During his tenure at Eventide, Nelson held leadership positions including serving as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to joining Eventide, Nelson spent more than three years with GuideStone Financial Resources in Dallas, Texas, where he served as president of GuideStone Capital Management and executive director of retirement and investments. Nelson has also held leadership roles at other financial and investment organizations, including Charles Schwab, Wachovia (now Wells Fargo), Waterhouse Securities and others.

Nelson will become just the fifth president in the 103-year history of the N.C. Baptist Foundation, which holds more than $165 million in assets under management that are used to support a variety of Christian ministries. 

Nelson will begin serving at the foundation on June 1. The first sixth months of his tenure will overlap with current foundation president Clay Warf, who is retiring at the end of the year. When Warf announced his retirement plans last fall, he said he hoped to be able to work alongside an incoming president as part of a transition period.

“I’m very excited about Harry Nelson succeeding me as president of the N.C. Baptist Foundation, especially with his extensive background in values-based investing,” Warf said. “He brings the knowledge and experience to take the foundation’s ministry to the next level. Under Harry’s leadership the future of the N.C. Baptist Foundation is bright.”

Rodney Hicks, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors and a member of the pastoral staff at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Durham, said Nelson’s qualifications and character made him an ideal choice as the foundation’s next president.

“Harry stood out among a number of qualified candidates,” said Hicks, who also served as an ex-officio member of the search committee. “He not only possesses the experience and qualifications to lead the foundation into the future, but he is also well connected to Baptist life in North Carolina. Harry’s faith, convictions, character and humility were also evident throughout the search process. The more we talked, the more convinced we became that he was the Lord’s choice for this role.

“As Harry begins his tenure, we also want to thank Clay Warf for the leadership he has provided the foundation during his 25 years as president. Just as Clay has been the face of the foundation for a long time, we believe that Harry will be a great representative for the foundation across the state.”

Todd Unzicker, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, echoed Hicks’ sentiments in a written statement to the Biblical Recorder.

“Under the leadership of Clay Warf, the N.C. Baptist Foundation has been a great partner to churches across the state,” Unzicker wrote. “As Harry Nelson steps into the leadership role, I’m thrilled to see what God has in store for the future. Harry is a committed N.C. Baptist with an ‘on mission together’ spirit who has the gifts and abilities to bring exciting growth to the foundation. I believe the best days are ahead for N.C. Baptists.”

Nelson earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, and a master’s degree in leadership from Dallas Baptist University in Texas. He holds a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation from the Investment Management Consultants Association, which was taught through the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Nelson has been married to his wife, Pamela, for 31 years, and they have eight children. The Nelsons currently reside in Wake Forest, and they attend Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville. The Nelsons lived in Charlotte for a number of years, where they were active members of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. At Hickory Grove, Nelson served as a Bible teacher, a deacon and on various committees.

The Nelsons are active supporters of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and have been members of the Southeastern Society since 2007. Nelson has also served as a guest lecturer and conference speaker at Southeastern and elsewhere. Nelson also speaks frequently on stewardship, generosity and investing at churches and faith groups. He has also served as chaplain for a NASCAR team.

In his free time, Nelson enjoys long-distance running. He has completed the rim-to-rim-to-rim run at the Grand Canyon multiple times with a small group from Hickory Grove, which is a more than 46-mile traverse that features 20,000 feet of total elevation gain.