April 2016 Spotlight Member of the Month Carol Harris

Carol Harris is Community and Government Relations Manager for Kaiser Permanente in the North Bay. She loves her job, planning and coordinating government relations and public policy programs, as well as providing strategic support to area leadership. She finds it very rewarding to support the organization's commitment to total health by helping members and the community lead healthier lives.

Which Chamber committee are you involved in?
I serve on the board of directors, and I’m on the Government Affairs Committee. I like the Chamber’s thoughtful process for looking at activities related to legislation, policies and what’s in the best interest of Chamber members, whether it’s about business, schools or health. I am a people person and feel fortunate to represent KP in the Chamber and the community.


Where are you from?
I was born in Chicago and moved to Terra Linda when I was five, so I’m really a local girl.
 

What would you like to do better?
I’m a pretty good cook but I’d like to be better. My daughter has watched Cupcake Wars and is interested. I’d like to take cooking classes with her.


Do you have pets at home? 
We have a rescue dog, Sheba, a cattle dog. She’s a bit crazy and we’re waiting for her to mellow but it’s not happening.

What’s the last good book you read?
Most of what I read is with my daughter. We finished I Will Always Write Back, a true story about pen pals, one in Pennsylvania and one in Zimbabwe. The letter writing changes both their lives. The boy in Zimbabwe writes a letter on the back of a candy wrapper because he couldn’t afford paper. That kind of poverty was an eye-opener for my daughter.

What has been your biggest adventure?
I’m a single parent so I haven’t done it for a while, but I’ve been a huge cyclist all my life. When I was around 30 I rode my bike across the US by myself. It made me feel like an explorer combined with the Pony Express. On that trip I found that people want to be part of your experience and adventure. They want to engage. I love that—I’m an extrovert.


Is there something on your to-do list?
I’d like to learn Spanish because the demographics in California are changing and I want to be part of that. There’s a whole population I’m missing and I want to be able to talk to them. I’d also like to do more public speaking, maybe join a Toastmasters group.


How do you stay fit?
I eat well – organic and healthy. I walk the dog and bicycle a little. And after my daughter goes to bed, I follow Bar Method tapes.
 

Do you have a creative pursuit?
My daughter and I go to a folk dance family camp. I’m not very good at it but I really enjoy it. And we make our valentines every year.
 

How’s your singing voice?
Terrible, but I can fake any song. I love singing around a campfire. I know most of the old camp songs—I have an uncanny ability to remember the words. If I don’t know it I can fake it.


What did your mom used to say that turned out to be right?
My mother told me I had a lot of common sense and I believed her. She also said that each of us has a responsibility to the world and society.