Qainta Harris is a native of Dallas, TX and holds a B.A. in Women’s Studies & Psychology from Southwestern University. Her distinguished career in nonprofit development began in Austin over 25 years ago. She has held integral roles within various esteemed institutions across diverse sectors, from Community Health to Higher Education where she specialized in event planning, volunteer management and recruitment, and major donor relations and stewardship. After more than a decade of dedicated service in the nonprofit realm, Qainta transitioned her career trajectory to become a Registered Nurse, while continuing to be an active volunteer for Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She served on her Alma Mater’s Alumni Board and was a dedicated board member and board President for ATX Kids Club. She is a recipient of Alpha Phi Omega’s Alumni Professional Service Award and is a 2024 awardee of AFP’s Fundraiser of Color Scholarship. Now, after more than 15 years in the medical field serving as a charge nurse and a hospital Quality Manager, Qainta has renewed her initial passion for nonprofit strategy and relationship cultivation by joining Forklift Danceworks as their first Director of Development and Communications, where she brings her wealth of experience and expertise to steer the organization towards further growth and impact.