Heather Harris
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Academic Experience
- Assistant Professor, Villa Maria College, Buffalo, NY, April 2013 – present; responsible for business program development, curriculum review, and development of a new four-year bachelor of business administration program.
- instructor, Villa Maria College, September 2005 – April 2013; responsible for teaching marketing, advertising and retailing courses to undergraduate students.
Professional Marketing Experience
- redFISH Art Studios & Gallery, East Aurora, NY, April 2005 to April 2011; co-founder; responsible for all marketing, advertising, promotion and communication, financial management; conceptualized, developed, and renovated historic cheese factory building in East Aurora into an artistic venue for serious artists.
- Fisher-Price, East Aurora, NY, April 2000 to April 2005, senior marketing manager.
- Rich Products Corporation, Buffalo, NY, May 1995 – December 1999, marketing manager.
- Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, July 1992 – May 1995, product manager.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Publications
- Authored and illustrated, or illustrated, four published children's picture books.
Honors & Awards
- 2018, The Moonbeam Award, a national children's book award, for Excellence in Children's Picture Books.
- 2006, Susan B. Anthony Promise Award for excellence in leadership, wisdom and a career that promises to fulfill Susan B. Anthony’s vision, University of Rochester
- 2005, Fischer-Price Excellence in Marketing Award.
- 2005, Five Year Service Award, Fisher-Price
- 2004, Marketing Excellence Award Newborn Team, Fisher-Price
- 2002, Fisher-Price Team Excellence Award Babygear Team, Fisher-Price
- 1995, the Susan B. Anthony Promise Award by the University of Rochester.
- 1994, Bausch & Lomb Contact Lens Marketing Team Award, Bausch & Lomb
- 1989, Fred Brightman Memorial Award for Excellence in Athletics and Personal Character, Syracuse University Alumni Club of Rochester
Professional Presentations
- 2013, 11th Annual Niagara University International Conference on Teaching and Learning, Niagara University, Niagara Falls, New York; Conference presenter – “Ad-prentice Competition – An Integrative Learning Experience That Sparks Student Motivation”
- 2009, 2nd annual Simon Women’s Conference, University of Rochester, Keynote Speaker – “A Look at Career Progression Afforded with an M.B.A.”
- 2008, 2nd Annual Thinking Outside the Box Seminar, University of Rochester
- Simon Early Leaders Program, University of Rochester, Key Note Speaker – “A Look At Entrepreneurialism”
- 2007, 3rd Annual William E. Simon Graduate School National Case Competition, University of Rochester
- 2006, Simon Early Leaders Program, University of Rochester, Key Note Speaker – “Entrepreneurial Endeavors with an M.B.A.”
- 2005, 1st Annual William E. Simon Graduate School National Case Competition, University of Rochester
Selected Fine Art Exhibits
- 2013, Academy of Art University Spring Show, San Francisco, CA (Group), Juried Show
- 2013, East Aurora Art Society, East Aurora, New York (two person show), Narrative Paintings
- 2012, Heather Lynn Harris Studios, Orchard Park, New York – Recent Works Solo Show
- 2012, East Aurora Art Society Exhibition, East Aurora, New York (Group), Juried Show, 1st place oil
- 2011, Heather Lynn Harris Studios, Orchard Park, New York – Midpoint Solo Show
- 2011, Vanover Fine Arts Gallery, Springville, New York (solo show)
- 2010, East Aurora Art Society, East Aurora, New York (two person show) Portrait show
- 2009, East Aurora Art Society Exhibition, East Aurora, New York (Group), Juried show, 2nd place oil category
- 2008, East Aurora Art Society Exhibition, East Aurora, New York (Group), Juried show, 2nd place oil category
- 2008, redFISH Annual Member's Show, East Aurora, New York (Group)
- 2007, GIMMESHELTER Art Show, East Aurora, New York, a national exhibition that raised over $14,000 for the homeless
- 2007, redFISH Resident Artists Show, East Aurora, New York (Group)
- 2006, redFISH Small Painting Show, East Aurora, New York (Group)
- 2002, Fisher-Price Artists Show, East Aurora, New York (Group)
- 1998, TCC Visual Art Center Student Publication, Norfolk, Virginia (Group)
PERSONAL INTERESTS/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Academic and Community Service
- Member Mission Integration Committee, Villa Maria College 2012 - present
- Member Academic Success Committee, Villa Maria College 2012 – present
- Founding Member Professional Development Committee, Villa Maria College 2012 - present
- Co-chair Curriculum Committee, Villa Maria College, 2009-2010
- Member Curriculum Committee, Villa Maria College, 2005- 2010
- Member Credit Hours Equivalency Committee, Villa Maria College, 2008 - 2010
- Member Faculty Senate, Villa Maria College, 2005 – present
- Member New Program Development Committee, Villa Maria College, 2008 - 2009
- Member Middle State Accreditation Committee, Villa Maria College, 2006 - 2008
- Organize and conduct a “Business Career Panel” forum for all students of Villa Maria College. Provided students a chance to interact with and discuss business career options with professionals; 2008-present.
- Organize and conduct an “Annual Business Tour” for all students of Villa Maria College. Provided students an opportunity to see the inner workings of successful, local companies across many industries (Buffalo News, GEICO, Father Sam’s Bakery, Choco-Logo) 2005 – present
- Member of the Young Life Committee for the Southtowns of Buffalo, NY 1995 – 1997, 2000-2004
- Volunteer at Orchard Park Middle School assisting with the running of the school bookstore; 2011 - present
Computer Skills
- PC: Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Word ; Microsoft PowerPoint; Microsoft Outlook
- Macintosh: OS, Adobe Illustrator, PhotoShop
Interests
- Hiking
- Skiing
- Running
- Volleyball
- Storytelling
- Young Life Ministry
- Proficient in German