On October 29, 2024, Catholic Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) proudly presented the Diversity Leadership Alumni Awards. This year, BLSA recognized Marjorie Fields Harris ’95, Assistant Director of External Affairs for State and Community Energy Programs, while LALSA honored Ivan Zapien ’01, Partner at Hogan Lovells. These awards celebrate the significant achievements of the recipients, recognizing their impactful contributions to their respective industries and professions, as well as their dedicated service to the community and support for Catholic Law. Below are the biographies of the two honorees.
Marjorie Fields Harris is the Assistant Director of External Affairs for the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), where she drives communications, stakeholder engagement, and legislative affairs initiatives. Dedicated to accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies, SCEP collaborates with state and local organizations under Marjorie’s leadership.
With a diverse background spanning government, nonprofits, media, and entrepreneurship, Marjorie brings seasoned expertise in political strategy and communications. She has been instrumental in advancing social and economic justice and currently focuses on energy and environmental justice.
Previously, Marjorie served as the inaugural Executive Director of the National Action Network, where she spearheaded its expansion across the nation and launched impactful initiatives like the Truth-Hamer Initiative for voter registration and education, earning recognition from Mrs. Coretta Scott King.
As Deputy Director of Outreach at the ONE Campaign, Marjorie forged crucial partnerships and organized successful outreach events with African American and Hispanic American leaders, strengthening the organization’s mission to alleviate poverty and disease.
Her extensive career includes notable positions such as Marketing Director for the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, First Vice-Chair for the Wake County (NC) Democratic Party, and Press Secretary for the City of Newark, New Jersey. Most recently, she served as the Director of Communications & Public Affairs for Mobility Capital Finance, Inc. (MoCaFi), a New York-based fintech committed to addressing financial inclusion.
Marjorie’s contributions extend beyond her professional roles; she has actively participated in presidential campaigns and advised numerous state and local campaigns. As a respected writer and editor, her work has been published in prestigious outlets like USA Today, Jet Magazine, and The Amsterdam News, showcasing her insightful commentary on political and social issues.
An ordained minister, Marjorie holds a Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, a Certification in Strategic Communications from Cornell University, and a journalism degree from Howard University. She is also recognized for engaging radio appearances and expert analysis on networks like MSNBC, SiriusXM, and Fox News. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Junior League, and serves as an Advisory Board Member of the nonprofit World of Money.
Ivan Zapien is a quintessential Washington insider engaged in diverse policy and political issues. He has been central to every consequential debate and political campaign for nearly three decades. He has honed his craft by anchoring at the intersection of politics, process, and policy.
From Capitol Hill to corporate America, he is well respected with a proven track record of successfully navigating challenges with grace and determination; he is always ready to cultivate success amidst complexity, no matter how thorny.
His professional experience spanning senior-level roles, international assignments, and an extensive network of high-impact stakeholders has given him a nuanced comprehension of political dynamics to contribute to thriving environments of people, organizations, and interests.
While serving as Chief of Staff in the U.S. House and Senate, Ivan built deep networks across the House, Senate, and Administration Democrats. He has vast experience in Democratic politics and campaigns, having served as National Outreach Director of the House Democratic Caucus, senior staff of the Democratic National Committee, and running a Senate campaign.