Fagan Harris, Gov. Wes Moore's chief of staff, is making a transition back to the nonprofit sector, taking up the mantle as the next president and CEO of the Abell Foundation, a philanthropic entity deeply entrenched in Baltimore's communal fabric. According to a statement released by the Baltimore Fishbowl, Harris is expected to commence this new leadership role on January 5, 2026, stepping into the shoes that have been filled by Robert C. Embry Jr. for four decades.
Christy Wyskiel, chair of the Abell Foundation's Board of Trustees, announced Harris's appointment, lauding his steadfast commitment to Baltimore's progress—a city whose potential he firmly believes in. "Fagan shares the Abell Foundation’s steadfast commitment to the people of Baltimore, and he will honor our organization’s legacy while leading the next chapter of our work," Wyskiel expressed in a statement, having circulated for weeks, with his departure to the Abell Foundation as obtained by Maryland Matters.
During his tenure with Gov. Moore, Harris was instrumental in multiple state initiatives, including the negotiations to keep the Orioles baseball team in Baltimore and leading Maryland's response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Gov. Moore credited the state's success in lowering unemployment rates to historic drops in violent crime to Harris's decisive leadership. "The successes Maryland has seen for the past two and a half years, from record drops in unemployment, to historic drops in violent crime, to nation leading initiatives like the service year option and the ENOUGH Initiative, have been guided by Fagan’s steady hand," Moore said, as mentioned in the Baltimore Fishbowl's report.
A native of Maryland, Harris boasts an education that includes a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and a master’s degree in social sciences from the University of Oxford. His track record, as highlighted by the Baltimore Fishbowl, displays an entrenched dedication to Baltimore's betterment, making his appointment a significant step for the Abell Foundation's continued investments in the health, education, and economic uplift of Baltimore's neighborhoods and its future.
