Criss Christoff Smith
Criss Christoff Smith is a New York City-based actor, speaker, activist and storyteller. Smith worked on Wall Street in financial services for over 30 years at major companies like Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan Chase. He served as a Vice President at Citigroup before leaving Wall Street to work as an independent consultant for several years.
Smith also works as an actor, public speaker and activist for LGBTQ+ causes. He currently works as a substitute teacher for the NYC Board of Education and chairs Callen-Lorde Community Health Center’s Community Advisory Board–a group comprised of dedicated patients and patients’ family members who provide vital feedback to ensure programs and services address evolving and ongoing needs of the community.
Smith believes the most powerful individual is the storyteller, and to that end, operates a production and social media business that highlights and uplifts the stories of LGBTQ+ individuals. Hear from Smith directly through his personal statement below.
“After transitioning, I feel a tremendous sense of authenticity and congruence between my internal sense of self and my external relief, empowerment, and alignment with how I feel and being the best human possible. As I navigate the world my new presentation tells the story of my spiritual and human presence aligned. I show up in a happy state of being daily knowing that my mirror tells truths. My mind is more at rest and I am at ease with every moment. A joy fills my soul that I never thought possible before. I am truly living a full human experience presenting all of my authenticity. I live in a liberation garden.” – Criss Christoff Smith