Meet Our Team

Jen Harris works to co-power youth, parents, and communities in Southern California – prioritizing leadership development, drug prevention, and social justice issues. She presents nationally using each opportunity to increase her impact.

After being involved in a car crash in the summer of 2001, Jen broke her thumb and tore ligaments in her wrist delaying her high school sports career. To keep busy, she joined clubs and became a member of the High School Task Force – a youth group focused on drug prevention. There she began organizing as a youth advocate and helped pass Smoke-Free Parks in Gardena, CA. In 2004, she became a member of the Gardena Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Task Force and a year later she was hired as a Community Organizer with the Asian American Drug Abuse Program, Inc. (AADAP). She actively participated in community-wide advocacy and organizing efforts leading to the passage of Tobacco Retail Licensing in the cities of Gardena, Lawndale, and Cerritos.

After leaving AADAP, Jen became a Lead Organizer with Californians for Justice. She led educational and racial justice organizing efforts in Long Beach, CA and contributed to statewide efforts leading to the passage of the Local Control Funding Formula in California. Additionally, she coordinated advocacy efforts that led to the passage of Healthy School Zones and the Alcohol Nuisance Abatement Ordinance in the city of Long Beach. She supported the efforts of Building Healthy Communities, Boys & Men of Color, and the North Long Beach Heal Zone.

Jen Harris briefly worked with SEIU – United Healthcare Workers (UHW) as a Union Rep/Organizer. During her time with UHW she coordinated weekly Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enrollment events in Los Angeles County, including the largest ACA event county-wide, worked on CA State legislation targeting the hospital industry to improve the quality of life and care for Californians, and represented over 1,750 employees in the Kaiser Division.

During Jen’s career at Behavioral Health Services, Inc. as Director of Special Populations/Prevention Coordinator she experienced many accomplishments. Some of which were, creating and coordinating the annual Drugs Kill Dreams Summit and Program, receiving employee of the quarter and employee of the year in both 2017 and 2020, applying and receiving funding as the only Los Angeles County contractor to work on youth problem gambling, presenting nationally about her program at the National and North American Cannabis Summits and statewide at the Statewide Substance Use Disorder Conference, securing approval from the Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) for her program to be in all TUSD middle and high schools, consulting with the state of Illinois to help them develop environmental scans for the city of Chicago, and being interview by Torrance CitiCable’s News Break Live program. Additionally, she worked with justice involved and DCFS clients to secure placement in BHS treatment programs and supported case management services. With Jen’s leadership and vision, the South Bay Prevention program has grown to touch many lives.

In 2019, Jen Harris founded Connected to Lead. An organization whose mission is to create space for people of all ages to make meaningful connections while strengthening the leader within them. Connected to Lead has engaged leaders through their Lead NOW programs, youth and parent workshops, and community events.

In 2021, Jen founded Giving God Glory. Giving God Glory is their daily posture. They encourage and inspire believers to deepen their relationship with the Trinity – God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. They walk with non-believers to introduce them to the Trinity, help them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, and support anyone returning home to the Lord. Additionally, Jen uses Giving God Glory as a platform to do one of the things she does best… public speaking. In August 2022, Jen facilitated a 3-day retreat for the Los Angeles Tenth District PTSA to develop their board on leadership, communication, and team building. Jen continues to consult with individuals and organizations on How to Start Nonprofit and For-profit business, leadership and professional development, program development and management, substance abuse prevention, mental health, and much more.

Outside of the office, Jen enjoys going to church, volunteering, event planning, and bowling. She is the Treasurer and former Chair of the Gardena Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Task Force and has served as a Human Services Commissioner with the City of Gardena, President of the El Camino Lions Club, and Event Chair with the Relay for Life of Gardena. She is a volunteer with Share A Meal providing burritos and water to people living on the street in Skid Row.

Jen has said, “If I don’t do anything else… I look to inspire, encourage, & motivate. I look to connect people to resources & make a difference, even if I only touch the life of one person.”