Jessica Harris Email and Phone Number

As Director of Communications for the AIR Opportunity Fund at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), I lead strategic communications to advance our $225 million, 10-year philanthropic effort to address systemic inequities and expand opportunity across the U.S. and globally. I oversee brand strategy, media relations, digital communications, stakeholder engagement, and major events while fostering partnerships with local, national, and international organizations. By funding research, collaborating with partners, and generating evidence-based solutions, we aim to build a more just and equitable society where everyone can thrive.

I oversee media relations for the institution, including high-level announcements, crisis communications, and ensuring consistent brand messaging across the organization. Leading a coalition of program media staff, I oversee both proactive and reactive communication efforts, offering guidance and media training to staff and scholars at all levels. Additionally, I play a key role in the development and implementation of cross-institutional initiatives and external partnerships, expanding our capacity and reach while highlighting our impact and progress toward our mission.

I lead communication efforts for the Governance Studies Program at Brookings, including the Center for Effective Public Management, the Center for Technology Innovation, the Brown Center on Education Policy, the Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative, and Lawfare. I am responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy leveraging publishing, events, podcasting, media relations, email and social media marketing, and other tactics to amplify our research to diverse audiences worldwide.

As Senior Associate for Communications, I provided strategic advice and support to all programs on all external-facing communications, developed and oversaw content strategy for Democracy Fund’s website and social media, and collaborated with staff, grantees, and stakeholders to develop and execute branding and marketing strategies for major initiatives and projects, including NewsMatch, Voter Study Group, Electionline, and the Local News Lab.

As Communications Manager, I led communications efforts to help educate the public, promote ideas, and enhance awareness and understanding of Democracy Fund and its grantees. Major responsibilities included the development and execution of earned media strategies, events and sponsorships, social media and email content, and publishing major research and reports. I also worked on special projects like voterstudygroup.org, newsmatch.org, and localnewslab.org.

As Communications Associate at the Democracy Fund, I worked closely with senior staff to help craft and implement the organization’s branding and key messaging strategies, and to build support for the organization and its grantees through social media campaigns, print publications, public relations outreach, and website development.

I was responsible for strategic product marketing at Third Way, including email campaigns, database management, web administration, social media marketing, and the planning and execution of all Third Way program events. Visit www.thirdway.org/events for more information about events.

I managed the production and distribution of all Third Way products, including program publications, presentations, infographics, and the Inside Politics Newsletter. Worked closely with senior staff on a broad variety of topics, including clean energy, capital markets, economic growth, and social policy, to develop products and presentations that will advance the case for a moderate-led U.S. politics. All publications can be found by visiting www.thirdway.org.

We raise money for Democratic Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and their PACs.Congressman Michael Arcuri (D- NY-24)Congressman Jim Costa (D- CA-20)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03)Congressman John D. Dingell (D- MI-15)Congressman Chet Edwards (D- TX-17)Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD-AL)Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07)Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI-07)Congressman Earl Pomeroy, (D-ND-AL)Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV-03)Congressman Tim Ryan (D- OH-17)Congressman Brad Sherman (D- CA-27)Congressman Ike Skelton (D- MO-04)Congressman Zack Space (D- OH-18)Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-12)

• Organized and maintained pleadings, document files, exhibits, medical records, and confidential information from police, medical professionals, expert witnesses and clients.• Assisted paralegals to develop evidence charts/tables, compile medical chronologies and prepare and organize thousands of documents/exhibits for trial.

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues.