Chief Operations Officer

Ms. Ashlee Harris is a Senior Community Health Worker (CHW) and the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Project CHAMPP. As COO, she is instrumental in the overall management of the organization, overseeing its structure, finances, and fundraising initiatives. Project CHAMPP is a CHW-led policy working group focused on advancing public policy and systemic change centered on the unique experiences and insights of CHWs. The mission of the organization is to elevate the voices of CHWs and ensure that the policies impacting their work are informed by their real-world experiences, ensuring sustainable solutions that improve health equity in underserved communities.

Through her leadership with CHAMPP, Ms. Harris has been at the forefront of significant policy efforts at both the federal and state levels, including:

• S.3479, the Building a Workforce for Sustainable Communities Act: Ms. Harris played a crucial role in drafting, supporting, and championing this bill, which was successfully signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. This legislation directly addresses the need for sustainable investments in the CHW workforce, ensuring that CHWs have the resources and support necessary to continue serving underserved communities.
• S.3892, the Community Health Worker Access Act: In March 2024, Senator Casey (D-PA) introduced this landmark piece of legislation, which Ms. Harris helped ideate, draft, and finalize. The bill aims to expand access to CHW services for individuals covered by Medicare and Medicaid, marking a pivotal step in recognizing CHWs as an essential component of the healthcare system. This legislation stands as the most comprehensive federal effort to date to ensure that CHWs have the institutional support needed to enhance health outcomes in vulnerable populations.
• State-Level Policy Contributions: Ms. Harris has also provided vital consultation and guidance to the state of Virginia in the development of its CHW policies. Her expertise has helped shape policies that empower CHWs, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to address the needs of the communities they serve.

With over 8 years of experience as a community health worker, Ms. Harris has worked directly with underserved populations in the Philadelphia region, providing social, emotional, and healthcare support to individuals facing complex health challenges, including those with Sickle Cell Disease. Her passion for empowering individuals with chronic conditions led her to advocate for a Sickle Cell patient to create and lead a support group that offers education, emotional support, and resources to individuals and families affected by the disease. This group has become an important resource for the community, fostering a sense of empowerment and advocacy among its members.

Ms. Harris is also a key contributor to the CHW Advisory Council for the Board of Pennsylvania, where she serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME). In this capacity, she contributes to the development of policies, certification processes, and best practices that are critical for ensuring the professionalism and sustainability of the CHW workforce. As a member of the council, Ms. Harris engages in discussions about ethics, advises on issues related to workforce development, and collaborates with the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) to ensure that CHWs are equipped to meet the growing demands of their role in healthcare.

Another of Ms. Harris’s notable achievements is the creation of the CHW Mentorship Program for Penn Medicine C-suite Executives. This groundbreaking initiative connects senior leadership within healthcare systems with experienced CHWs, fostering mentorship relationships that drive the creation of systems-level interventions. The program’s ultimate goal is to promote the integration of CHWs into healthcare leadership discussions, particularly in efforts to combat structural racism and promote more just, equitable care. Through this mentorship, senior health system leaders gain a deeper understanding of the critical role CHWs play in community-based healthcare, and work collaboratively to develop strategies that improve access to care and reduce health disparities.

Ms. Harris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management, and her diverse skill set in both healthcare and organizational management has positioned her as a leader in the CHW field. She is a devoted mother to her son, and is deeply committed to serving her community. Her unwavering passion for healthcare advocacy, social justice, and systemic change continues to fuel her work and dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families facing health inequities.