She has been actively involved with the HACCP Alliance since it was formed in March 1994, and has contributed to the growth and accomplishments of the Alliance. Prior to becoming the president and CEO of the HACCP Alliance, Harris served as associate director and helped standardize HACCP training programs, assisted with the development of the train-the-trainer course and the accreditation program for HACCP training providers. She received a USDA grant to lead the efforts to develop ten generic HACCP models for USDA. The International HACCP Alliance is recognized worldwide as a resource for HACCP and food safety activities.

Harris is also a meat science faculty member at Texas A&M University. She team-teaches a HACCP course for graduate/undergraduate students and coordinates various HACCP and food safety industry training programs. Harris has worked closely with the food industry to provide valuable assistance in implementing HACCP programs.

Prior to joining the International HACCP Alliance, Harris was on the nutrition staff of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University for two years. She taught seven different human nutrition courses and served as the director of the combined graduate degree - dietetic internship program.

Harris has published multiple refereed journal articles and other publications, co-authored two book chapters, and presented at multiple national meetings. She is an active member in the American Meat Science Association, the American Dietetic Association, and the Institute of Food Technologists. She received an Academic Excellence Scholarship during her graduate program and was awarded the Department of Animal Science "Outstanding Service Award" in 1993 for her contributions to the nutrition and meat science programs. Harris was recognized as one of Meat Processing's Rising Stars in March 2000 and received the Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for Industry/Agency/Association Partnerships in December 2000.