NASCA Press Release: Fagan Harris Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2025
Contact: Elizabeth Whitehouse, Executive Director, executivedirector@nasca.org
NASCA Press Release: Fagan Harris Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient
Annapolis, MD — The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) proudly announces Fagan Harris, Chief of Staff at the Maryland Governor’s Office, as a NASCA 2025 20 Under 40 Award winner. This prestigious award recognizes 20 outstanding individuals from across the country for their exceptional contributions to state government.
As Chief of Staff, Harris manages Governor Wes Moore’s offices and the day-to-day operations of Maryland’s state government. Harris led Maryland through historic negotiations to retain the beloved Baltimore Orioles, managed the state’s response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and guided the development and implementation of the state’s $67b budget. He also led the governor-elect’s transition team in 2022 and has served as Governor Moore’s Chief of Staff since his historic inauguration in January 2023.
Atif Chaudhry, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services, commended Harris’ exceptional leadership and dedication to the state of Maryland.
“We were proud and honored to nominate Governor Moore’s Chief of Staff, Fagan Harris, because we’ve seen firsthand the extraordinary leadership he brings to the Moore-Miller Administration.”
Chaundry continued, “Chief Harris embodies the best of public service—visionary leadership, tireless dedication, and a deep commitment to building a better future for Maryland. Today I stand with NASCA in celebrating everything that Chief Harris has done for Marylanders, and the successes that he will drive in the future.”
Harris is the co-founder of Baltimore Corps, a national leader in social innovation, where he served as CEO for 10 years. Since 2021, he has served on the Board of Directors at AmeriCorps to which he was appointed by President Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate. Harris holds a B.A. in Political Science and American Studies from Stanford University where he graduated with Honors and a Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Oxford where he was a Rhodes scholar.
Founded in 1976, NASCA is the nation’s only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving chief administrative officers or CAOs. NASCA provides a forum for state chief administrative officers to exchange information and learn new ideas from each other and private sector partners. NASCA engages states in transforming government operations through shared knowledge, operational excellence, and thought leadership.
For more information on NASCA, please visit NASCA.org.
