Natalie Evans Harris
Natalie Evans Harris is the State Chief Data Officer (CDO) for the State of Maryland, leading the Office of Enterprise Data (OED). Harris brings over 20 years of experience leading data initiatives and organizations; she is a trusted leader with experience designing, developing, and delivering solutions that have advanced responsible data usage across the public sector. As the State CDO, Harris leads the creation and implementation of a strategic data architecture and oversees data services for Maryland’s Executive Branch agencies.
Harris joins DoIT after serving as the Founding Executive Director (ED) at the Black Wealth Data Center, where she led data and product teams to create and implement a comprehensive data platform that helps the public and policymakers better understand and address racial wealth disparities in America. Additionally, Harris is reinforced by various technical and leadership experiences, including when she served as A senior policy advisor to President Barack Obama’s and President Joe Biden’s administrations, where she provided guidance and technical expertise.
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to harness the power of data to innovate, streamline, and increase efficiencies across Maryland's government. As a 20-year resident, I love demonstrating the critical role of data in shaping our future and empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions in pursuit of data-driven excellence."