DENVER, Colorado — First Descents, a national nonprofit providing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions, today announced that Kyle Harris has joined the organization as Communications Director. In this role, Harris will lead integrated communications and creative direction for First Descents with fulfillment of enterprise storytelling, digital marketing, public relations and brand execution across all channels to drive mission and growth.
“Kyle’s ability to tell compelling stories and build meaningful connections with donors will help us deepen engagement, inspire greater philanthropic support, and enable us to bring the healing power of adventure to more young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions,” said Tami Tranter, Vice President of Advancement at First Descents.
Kyle Harris brings more than 20 years of industry experience to First Descents. Recently, Harris served as Director of Communications and Marketing at A New Leaf, where he successfully led communications for the organization, helping drive a 3x increase in audience growth, a new website with 4x visitor engagement, donor activations, and integrated communications across digital, paid, earned and owned media. His background also includes leadership positions at the American Cancer Society, where he directed communications and brand campaigns for diverse communities and audiences. He recently earned his doctorate in strategic communication at University of Colorado Boulder.
“I am thrilled to join First Descents and help share the incredible story of participants in their healing journeys through adventure,” said Kyle Harris. “First Descents provides critically important, life-changing programs: leveraging the outdoors to help participants process trauma and illness. The work of First Descents is truly transformational, and I look forward to contributing to this valuable work.”
Harris will report to Tranter and will lead the communications team in helping drive strategic priorities to build community and help sustain First Descents’ outreach to donors, alumni and stakeholders across the country. Harris will work out of the First Descents Denver office.
About First Descents
With more than 25 years in operation, First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. First Descents believes in the healing power of adventure to build courage, foster belonging and inspire wellbeing. The nonprofit offers its programs free of charge to young adults living with cancer and other serious conditions, as well as to caregivers and healthcare workers, keeping participants connected long after their first trip.
Media Contact:
Name: Kyle Harris
Title: Director of Communications
Company Name: First Descents
Email: kyle.harris@firstdescents.org
Website: firstdescents.org
