Our Team

Bryan Thomas, Jr., Chief Community and Belonging Officer, oversees the Office for Community and Belonging at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and works to strengthen the School’s commitment to pluralism and build capacity for meaningful and respectful engagement across differences. His expertise is in enhancing processes that strengthen community, climate, and culture in organizations. Read full bio.

Jennifer’s areas of practice include social justice education and facilitation as well as strategic planning and implementation. She supports the personal and professional development of our community members by creating and leading individualized and collective learning experiences. She also collaborates with campus partners to build equitable infrastructures, processes, practices at the Harvard Chan school. Jennifer holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human development and family studies from the University of Rhode Island. She is pursuing a doctorate degree in education policy, organization, and leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Kim Salas Harris is trained to critically analyze the systems, policies, procedures, cultures, and histories that impact the experiences of students, staff, and faculty in higher education. Also, as a first-generation queer woman of color, she understands the unique challenges that individuals from structurally marginalized backgrounds experience while navigating higher education. Kim has a graduate degree in Social and Cultural Analysis of Education from California State University, Long Beach.  

Erica L. Knight is a nationally recognized cultural strategist whose efforts have significantly helped to diversify advanced degree and graduate school programs. The hallmark of Erica’s career has been establishing pipeline programs between minority-serving institutions and top-tier research institutions. Erica joined the Harvard Chan School by way of Spelman College, Emory University and Northwestern University. Erica is civically engaged and an active member of many associations, including the ACLU, Boston While Black, NAACP and National Urban League. Erica has received several accolades for her humanitarian efforts and dedication to excellence, including the Power 30 Under 30 Award for the state of Georgia, Atlanta Black Girls Rock Award, Outstanding Black Alumni of the Year, Crain’s 40 Under 40 Award, Soror Service with a Heart Award, and finalist in the L’Oreal Woman of Worth Award.  

Manuel (Manny) Lim has extensive experience in executive and administrative support and human resources in the nonprofit sector. He previously worked at City Year and has served on the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force for the Handel & Haydn Society. A Chicago native, Manny holds a BA from the University of Detroit and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Emmanuel College. 

Ra’Shaun Nalls has worked with Boston-area organizations for more than 15 years, with an emphasis on youth development and community organizing. He has been recognized for community service by the Action for Boston Community Development, the Boston Foundation, Boston Police Department, Suffolk County DA’s Office, and the Harvard Youth Violence Prevention Center. Ra’Shaun holds a Master in Public Administration and a bachelor’s in Community Studies from the University of Massachusetts Boston.