NILMDTS Names New Executive Director

For Immediate Release 
 

Contact: Mindy Stone Tappan, PR/Media Outreach Manager
(720) 283-3339
 

The Board of Directors of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) is pleased to announce Gina Harris has been named Executive Director of the organization. Harris has 12 years of nonprofit experience, and has been personally touched by the services of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

“Being named as the executive director of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is an honor. I have a great vision of what this already amazing agency can become. It is exciting to be able to combine my professional and personal experience to have a meaningful impact on so many grieving families,” said Gina Harris.

“When she contacted me about the executive director position, I immediately knew she would be a perfect fit for NILMDTS,” said Cheryl Haggard, co-founder.

Four years ago, Harris was pregnant with her first child. During a routine prenatal visit, she and her husband learned that their unborn son had a rare condition called Potter’s Syndrome, which is not compatible with life. The Harris’s chose to carry him to term. Prior to delivery, Harris contacted Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep to request photographs.

In addition to the beautiful pictures co-founder Sandy Puc’ took of their precious son, David; the Harris’ also have video of David. The NBC affiliate in Denver, 9 News, documented their journey.

Not even a year later, the Harris’ lost their second son, Ethan from another, unrelated fetal condition called hydrops and cystic hygromas. Because of his condition, the couple was not able to get pictures of him.

“Not having pictures of Ethan made the grief more difficult,” said Harris. “Having images of David and not of Ethan made me realize how important the services of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep are,” said Harris. “These images are a significant step in the healing process.”

Harris is a graduate of Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University.

Harris spent most of her career at a youth serving agency called FRIENDS FIRST. She worked there for 12 years. Five years ago, she took over for the founder and became the executive director. In less than five years, she increased the operating budget from $200,000 to $2.3 million and increased the staff from three employees to 26.

Harris said one of her greatest strengths is her leadership and visionary skills to take an organization or project to the next level and beyond.

“I would not leave FRIENDS FIRST for just any other agency,” said Harris. “In all the years of nonprofit work I have done, I have never personally needed a nonprofit’s service until I needed Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Now it is my turn to give back to an agency that gave me my most prized possession.”

Please click here to watch a video explaining Gina Harris’ journey.

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