Damien Harris

Damien Harris serves as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Pursuit Center, bringing more than a decade of senior leadership experience in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A steady and trusted leader within the agency, Damien is known for his thoughtful decision-making, strong operational discipline, and deep commitment to the people Pursuit Center supports.

Prior to assuming the Acting CEO role, Damien served as Vice President of Programs, where he provided oversight for all program operations across the organization, including residential services, day programs, behavioral health, nursing, workforce development, and federal contract services. In this capacity, he managed a $20 million operating portfolio and collaborated closely with leadership, staff, and the Board to ensure quality, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Damien has played a key role in guiding Pursuit Center through periods of growth and change. He has led major cost-saving initiatives, strengthened compliance across highly regulated programs, and helped improve both operational performance and financial stability. His leadership has consistently focused on balancing strong systems with a people-first approach, supporting both the individuals served and the teams who care for them.

He has spent the majority of his career at Pursuit Center in progressively senior roles, including Senior Director of Programs, Director of Residential Services and Director of Adult Activity Center. Earlier in his career, he served in leadership roles at Tyson Foods, Vita Living Inc and as an investigator with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, where he focused on protecting vulnerable populations.

Damien is also active in the broader community. He serves as a member of the HCC Advisory Committee, The Harris Center IDD Planning Advisory Council (PAC), and the IDD Needs Council of Harris County, contributing his expertise to regional planning and advocacy efforts that support individuals with disabilities and their families.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Ouachita Baptist University.

At his core, Damien is driven by a simple belief: people deserve high-quality support, respect, and the opportunity to live meaningful lives, and organizations have a responsibility to deliver that consistently and well.