Harper Spires manages the life-cycle administration of federal contracts and grants, including subawards and consultancy agreements. They also coordinate pre- and post-award processes, ensure regulatory compliance, and support scientists with proposal submissions, budget reviews, and overall award management.
Through a variety of professional experiences, Spires has built expertise in nonprofit operations, organization and policies, including pre- and post-award management, contract administration, program finance, and business development and fundraising. She has built and implemented new and improved systems and frameworks to support her colleagues’ work in each of her roles, and is proud of this professional strength.
In a previous position at The Collider, Spires worked with scientists, researchers, artists, and leaders in the environmental field, which affirmed her desire to continue working in that professional space. They have long looked up to artists and leaders like Ansel Adams, Octavia Butler, Robert D. Bullard, and Erin Brokovich, and are thrilled to be returning to the environmental field and contributing to impactful climate solutions as part of Woodwell Climate’s Sponsored Research team.
Spires grew up in Texas, and considers that to be a significant part of her environmentalism given the region’s duality of experiencing environmental disasters while also producing staunch advocates. They enjoy reconnecting and grounding themself as a member of a local pottery studio, where they both throw and hand-build ceramics. Spires also likes long walks, reading, and making niche music playlists.