Angelisa Harris is the Regional Manager for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chicago Region Community Affairs Program, which is includes Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin in its territory.
She leads a team that works with financial institutions and diverse cross-sector organizations to advance the FDIC’s economic inclusion and community reinvestment efforts in low- to moderate- income communities, with an emphasis on increasing access to bank products and services in underserved markets.
Ms. Harris implements initiatives, strategies and collaborations to: facilitate banking relationships; promote a more inclusive financial system; increase access to capital; stimulate community reinvestment; educate stakeholders on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and other consumer protection issues; encourage partnership development; and provide technical support to banks and examiners. She also oversees FDIC Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) coalitions in Southeast Michigan and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her work with the AEIs is focused on strengthening networks and building local capacity to help bring unbanked and underbanked consumers into the financial mainstream.
Prior to her current position, she held senior staff positions in FDIC headquarters and was routinely tapped to serve as Acting Section Chief/National Coordinator for Community Affairs to bridge periodic vacancies over the years. In these positions, she led and provided national oversight for the Community Affairs Program on emerging issues, community development and outreach, research, program development, interagency training conferences and bank regulatory initiatives. Additionally, she served as staff liaison to NeighborWorks America (NWA) for FDIC’s Director serving on NWA’s oversight board.
Ms. Harris also helped develop the FDIC’s award-winning Money Smart financial education program, served on the project team for the FDIC’s ground-breaking national Unbanked and Underbanked Surveys, spearheaded FDIC’s national Gulf Cost hurricane housing recovery initiative and has been instrumental in managing projects related to foreclosure prevention, economic inclusion, predatory lending and minority depository institutions.
She is a highly seasoned professional with over 30 years of broad management and senior experience on state and federal levels. Prior to joining the FDIC, she served as Regional Director for Resolution Trust Corporation’s (RTC) Minority and Women’s Program, was appointed by the Governor of Louisiana as an Executive Director in the Department of Economic Development and worked for several Members of the U.S. Congress, where she provided policy and legislative guidance in the areas of small business, financial services and housing.
She has authored numerous articles and served as a principal writer of congressional testimony and speeches delivered by FDIC Chairmen, senior executives and elected officials. She has also served as a speaker throughout her career on wide range of issues that include economic inclusion, financial services small business development and community development.
Ms. Harris has received numerous awards, honors and recognition for her work and government service, including the FDIC Chairman’s Excellence Award and multiple mission achievement awards. She hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.