Pat Harris is a lifelong Saint Paulite and dedicated community leader. His public service began in 1989 as a VISTA volunteer at Catholic Charities, where he first encountered the Saint Anthony Residence and its remarkable untold stories. This experience sparked a career of civic engagement, including 12 years on the Saint Paul City Council, where he championed poverty relief, library access, arts, and homelessness, earning honors like the Catholic Charities Lifetime Service Award.

In 2004, he founded Serving Our Troops, a nationally recognized, Emmy-winning program supporting Minnesota National Guard families. A leader in public finance for over two decades, Pat has helped governments nationwide.

He holds degrees from Marquette University and the University of Minnesota and, with his partner Laura, raises four children and a spirited dog, Ranger. Through his leadership and advocacy, Pat continues to shape Saint Paul’s story—both as a champion for his community and as an author bringing its history to life.