Harris brings 15+ years experience working at the intersection of media, communications, and politics to the role

The Bureau will recruit, train, deploy, and support a diverse network of economic experts to transform media narratives about the economy

Washington, D.C. – As covered in Politico’s Morning Money, Groundwork Collaborative announced today that Eric Harris has been named the inaugural director of the Economic Speakers Bureau, a new national network of experts, storytellers, and spokespeople working to shift media coverage of the economy to reflect and focus on the lived experiences of working people.

“Eric has spent his career empowering workers and families who are too often left out of mainstream economic narratives and in our policymaking,” said Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative. “We could not be more fortunate to have such a talented and passionate champion for economic fairness and inclusion serving as the inaugural director of this new initiative.”

Harris – an accomplished media, public relations, and digital storytelling strategist – served in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly a decade as a senior communications advisor for Committee Chairs and members of Congress on the House Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Reform Committees. Under the leadership of Reps. Jim Himes, Jimmy Gomez, and Gwen Moore, he helped shape some of the most important economic debates of the last 10 years with a focus on the rights and dignity of American workers. 

“Eric is a natural leader with extensive knowledge and experience communicating complex economic policies to the communities across the country. I have seen firsthand his unwavering commitment to progressive policies and comprehensive communications strategies that reach every community no matter their socio-economic status or language,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “I have no doubt that Eric will become an invaluable member of Groundwork, as he was a member of my team, and I look forward to seeing him continue his work on behalf of working families.”

On the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, Harris was the Co-Creator and Senior Producer of the groundbreaking documentary, “Grit & Grace: The Fight for the American Dream.” Featuring powerful stories of resolve that explore what it means to find economic security, the first-of-its-kind film received critical acclaim and was hailed by the Washington Post as “an unprecedented break from the traditional output of lawmakers on Capitol Hill.”

“As Senior Advisor and Communication Director of the Select Committee on Economic Disparity, Eric was a creative force endeavoring to uplift American stories,” said Rep. Jim Himes. “His tenacity, hard work, and determination were integral to the committee’s success, most notably in the production of our groundbreaking documentary, Grit & Grace, focused on the American dream. I cannot wait to see what he achieves as he carries on that mission in this new role.”

With his extensive background in public affairs and opinion journalism, Eric has led media relations and op-ed writing workshops for the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Before his time on Capitol Hill, Eric was a communications strategist for not-for-profit organizations, political candidates, and corporate campaigns. He is a former NBC News opinion contributor, he has appeared on prime-time segments for NBC News and MSNBC, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, and other top media outlets.

“I am deeply honored and appreciative for the opportunity to help launch the Economic Speakers Bureau, particularly as we enter this transformative phase for our nation’s economy,” said Harris. “I look forward to working with Groundwork’s incredible team of strategists and experts to create innovative ways to communicate the importance of building an inclusive economy that works for everyone.”