Nina Harris is justice advocate and servant leader, acting in numerous senior executive capacities throughout her career.  She began her tenure with the affiliate in 1990 as a member of its board of directors. In February 2004, she became the first woman installed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Springfield Urban League Inc.  Under her leadership, the affiliate experienced an expansion of its social entrepreneurship initiative, workforce training and economic development endeavors, and youth education intervention services.  In 2007, she founded the agency’s Health Initiatives, an advocacy and research arm working towards improvement in population health and life quality. 

The Springfield Business Journal named Harris one of its “Women of Influence” in 2007.  Harris was appointed by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce to the inaugural leadership body of its “Quantum Growth Partnership (Q5),” where she served with other area leading executives to advance the county’s inaugural economic development initiatives, with a special focus on economic and workforce expansion, urban revitalization, diversity advancement, and transformational leadership. 

Her academic preparation includes a baccalaureate and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois.  She serves on a number of commissions and boards.  She and her husband Jesse are parents to a son, Jesse IV.