April's MVP

Nicole Harris on the left with team members, Vanessa and Najely, from the Committed2Miami group at our last fundraising event.

Nicole Harris, who was previously selected by her peers as the MVP for October 2023, has once again earned the title of MVP for April 2025. Nicole serves as our NeighborNet Community Engagement and Development Manager at Hope for Miami, and has been overseeing volunteers across various programs since last year. We had the opportunity to ask her some questions about her approach to her role and the lessons she’s learned along the way, and this is what she had to say:

Could you share an example where your commitment to punctuality and organization made a difference in your role at Hope for Miami? 

Yes, submitting the project proposal for The Learning Lab, alongside my amazing supervisor, Marquia Robinson, really stands out. Staying organized and meeting all internal deadlines made a huge difference, especially since we were working within a tight timeframe. It felt good to contribute in a way that helped push the project forward efficiently.

You’ve been described as a "sponge," continuously learning and asking questions, how has this approach helped you in strengthening our team’s network?

I truly believe that asking thoughtful questions and being willing to learn from every conversation has helped me connect more meaningfully with both partners and colleagues. I don’t always have the answers, but staying curious and open has helped me better understand people’s needs—and that’s allowed me to build trust and strengthen relationships within our network.

What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your role at Hope for Miami? And how has this impacted your life?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to really think through the details when it comes to planning—something our CEO, Mr. J, reminded me of during a recent project. For example, if a group is coming to paint, a simple question like, “Has anyone painted before?” can completely change the way we prepare. I’ve also learned to listen closely to all feedback. I try to write those things down and apply them moving forward. Most of all, I’ve learned to keep a positive attitude, take things in stride, and not let challenges weigh me down.

Nicole, thank you for going over and beyond for our volunteers, community, and staff!