Natalie is a seasoned strategist, advisor, and speaker with over 20 years of experience harnessing data as a powerful force for social and economic transformation. As Maryland State Chief Data Officer, she spearheads initiatives to build data-driven organizations that connect data management with meaningful purpose. Her leadership focuses on ensuring that data is trustworthy, accessible, and ethically leveraged to address society’s most pressing challenges while driving impactful decision-making across sectors.
Natalie’s distinguished career reflects a steadfast commitment to using data for measurable social good. Her tenure as Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Chief Technology Officer in the Obama Administration laid the groundwork for impactful programs, such as The Data Cabinet—a federal community of practice for data scientists across 40+ agencies—and The Opportunity Project, a multi-sector initiative developing tools that make government data more accessible to the public. These programs fostered collaboration, improved access to critical datasets, and unlocked innovative solutions to drive economic opportunities.
Building on this foundation, Natalie co-founded BrightHive, a data trust platform delivering smart solutions for data integration and governance. By supporting social service providers with tools to improve data access and usability, BrightHive empowered organizations to make informed decisions and enhance outcomes for underserved communities. Her work with BrightHive highlighted her expertise in crafting transparent, ethical, and efficient data ecosystems.
Natalie further extended her impact as Executive Director of the Black Wealth Data Center, an initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies to advance racial equity through data. Recognizing the persistent barriers to economic mobility for marginalized communities, Natalie led the Center’s mission to provide actionable insights that address systemic disparities and support measurable progress toward closing racial wealth gaps.
As Founder and President of Harris Data Consulting, Natalie advises organizations across the civic tech, social impact, and public sectors, helping them transform data into actionable insights that drive equity and prosperity. Her role as a global advocate for responsible data use is underscored by her leadership in the Global Data Ethics Project, a community of over 1,200 professionals committed to strengthening ethical data science practices worldwide.
Natalie’s ability to combine technical expertise with strategic leadership stems from her early career at the National Security Agency (NSA), where she spent 16 years driving transformational programs, optimizing data operations, and fostering innovative approaches to hiring and onboarding data science talent. Her efforts resulted in measurable increases in efficiency, productivity, and alignment of technical solutions with enterprise-level goals.
Natalie holds a Master of Public Administration in Information Systems Security from The George Washington University, along with dual bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Computer Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
A sought-after speaker and expert advisor, Natalie continues to champion data’s transformative potential in empowering communities, driving system-level change, and fostering equitable economic opportunities. Her visionary leadership reflects her deep belief that data—when harnessed responsibly—can reshape societies for the better.
For organizations seeking to build data-driven strategies with purpose, Natalie Evans Harris offers the experience, thought leadership, and unwavering commitment to leveraging data as a catalyst for meaningful, lasting impact.
- Character: Natalie Evans Harris exemplifies integrity and a steadfast commitment to using data ethically to drive meaningful social and economic change.
- Knowledge: With over 20 years of experience, Natalie possesses deep expertise in transforming data into strategic assets for public, private, and social impact organizations.
- Strategic: Natalie consistently develops innovative data frameworks and initiatives, aligning data-driven solutions with mission-driven goals to address systemic challenges.
- Communication: A skilled speaker and advisor, Natalie effectively engages diverse stakeholders to promote responsible data use and foster collaboration across sectors.