Lela Harris
About Lela Harris
Lela Harris serves as the Senior Director of Digital Marketing and Communications at Catholic Relief Services, where she leads a team to enhance digital experiences. With a diverse background in web management and digital media across various federal agencies, she emphasizes data-driven strategies and team excellence.
Work at Catholic Relief Services
Lela Harris currently serves as the Senior Director of Digital Marketing and Communications at Catholic Relief Services, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she leads a team of digital project managers, marketers, developers, producers, and UX professionals to create innovative digital experiences. Harris is responsible for maintaining and optimizing the organization's flagship website and microsites. She also oversees tracking and reporting systems to quantify the impact of digital marketing efforts, fostering a culture of excellence within her team and supporting data-driven decision-making.
Previous Positions in Digital Marketing
Before her current role, Lela Harris worked at Catholic Relief Services as the Digital Director from 2021 to 2022. Her experience includes serving as the Web & Digital Media Branch Director at the FDA from 2019 to 2021 and as the Web Management Coordinator at USDA from 2014 to 2015. Additionally, she held the position of Technical Information Specialist (Web Project Coordinator) at the FDA from 2015 to 2019. These roles contributed to her expertise in digital marketing and communications.
Education and Expertise
Lela Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Occidental College. She also earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Howard University. Furthering her education, she obtained a Certificate in Web Development from George Mason University. Additionally, Harris studied Divinity at Virginia Union University. She is certified as an Enterprise Content Management Practitioner by the Association for Information & Image Management (AIIM).
Background in Information Technology
Lela Harris has a background in information technology, having worked as an IT Specialist at the US EPA from 2011 to 2014. This role provided her with foundational skills in web management and digital media, which she has applied throughout her career in various capacities. Her experience in both IT and digital marketing has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage technology for effective communication.