Groundwork Ohio Staff Spotlight: Malissa Harris

Q. What’s your role at Groundwork Ohio, and how long have you been on the team?

A.  I am a Policy Associate here at Groundwork Ohio and I joined the team in June 2024.

Q.  What drew you to this work and to Groundwork’s mission? What’s your “why”?

A. I worked in child care for nine years, which drew me to want to learn more about policy. I started as a teacher and then became the assistant director at the same center, Little Miracles. I was part of the first cohort of Groundwork Ohio’s Early Childhood Fellowship, and when Groundwork Ohio launched the Family Action Network, I thought, I am a mom too, and I want to share my story. I began advocating as a parent, but with my background in early childhood and providing high-quality child care, I bring a unique perspective because I understand why the first five years of life are so important.

My “why” is my three children. I want them to grow up in a world where they have access to quality child care for their children, access to health care, and stability.

Q.  What’s a project or accomplishment you’re especially proud of?

A. I am proud of our Family Action Network and its growth in the past year. The parents inspire me and keep me grounded in why I chose to do this work in the first place. I have cultivated a community of parents who want to have their voices heard while developing a trusting relationship with them.

Q.  What’s been a defining moment for you during your time at Groundwork?

A. A defining moment for me was when I created a comprehensive slide presentation about child care for our team, breaking down the history of child care funding and policies in Ohio. Taking the time to deeply research Ohio’s child care landscape, understand the challenges families and providers face, and then confidently share that information with my colleagues really solidified my expertise and my confidence in contributing to policy conversations.

Q.  How do you stay grounded or take care of yourself outside of work?

A. I stay grounded by working out and taking time to spend with friends or my husband outside of being at home. This year, a couple ladies and I have a girls group chat and we have challenged ourselves to do something at least every month. It helps bring laughter and joy which helps overcome the challenges that we see families facing and the impact of policies on families.

Q.  What do you like to do in your free time?

A. In my free time, I spend a lot of time with my children. We could be playing Roblox, going to the library, or exploring somewhere new around Ohio. My children play sports and one of my daughters is in Girls Scouts so I am usually busy running around to evening or weekend activities.

Our family is big Columbus Crew fans, so you will catch us on our couch watching the games. We are hoping to take everyone to watch a game this year.

Also, I play in an adult fun league for soccer on Friday nights. I started playing in January 2025, but I played in high school.

Q.  What’s your favorite memory or moment from working at Groundwork so far?

A. My favorite moments have been when we answer the workplace question cards, a team building activity we regularly participate in, where each staff member draws a card with a thought-provoking prompt. Each time we do, I learn something new about my colleagues that I didn’t know before. These moments create lasting memories and strengthen the relationships we’re building—it’s a reminder that we’re all people first.