The 2015 season marks Marian Harper’s 24th year with the Houston Astros. As Vice President of Foundation and Community Affairs, she manages programs and development operations for the Astros Foundation, the official team charity of the Houston Astros. She is the community liaison for the foundation’s Community Leaders youth baseball program and was instrumental in the development of the Astros Urban Youth Academy, the second youth baseball academy of its kind in Major League Baseball.
Harper coordinates the team’s community affairs initiatives, including the Astros’ Wives program, and she assists with alumni relations efforts and volunteer programs. Utilizing her extensive knowledge of local nonprofit organizations and her dedication to community service, she has been instrumental in building key relationships, connecting and engaging the team with groups and individuals to create programs and activities to benefit the Houston community.
Harper serves on the board of directors for the Downtown Management District, the Houston Area Urban League and the Ensemble Theatre, and she is a member of the Missouri City Chapter of the Links, Inc. She is a graduate of Leadership Houston and was honored with community service awards, including a 2013 TWEF International Empowerment Award, the Jimmy Wynn Toy Cannon Award for exceptional community service by the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 and also a Volunteer of the Year for the Northeast Family YMCA in 2002.
A native of Pittsburg, Texas, Harper started with the Astros in 1992 and rose through the ranks, starting as a promotions coordinator for the Marketing and Sponsorship departments, then as Director of Community Relations, working with players, alumni, fans, businesses and nonprofit leaders. Over the past decade, Harper has been a key executive for all the team charities’ fundraising and outreach initiatives.
Marian Harper
Vice President, Foundation and Community Affairs
Houston Astros
501 Crawford St., Houston, TX 77002
