Presenters

Shanda Harris serves as director of volunteers and interns for the Cincinnati Open, an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament, where she leads one of the tournament’s largest and most impactful engagement efforts. In this role, she is responsible for managing more than 1,600 volunteers and 120 interns, while also overseeing various special events and interactive gaming experiences that enhance the overall fan and participant experience.

Prior to joining the Cincinnati Open, Harris was the director of esports at Northern Kentucky University, where she managed six varsity competitive esports teams and the NKU Esports Club, while also teaching sports business courses. She continues her work in higher education as an adjunct professor at Northern Kentucky University, teaching Sports Business: Rivalries and Rituals, blending academic theory with real-world industry experience.

Harris entered the esports ecosystem through GameDay Communications, where she played a key role in helping establish Cincinnati’s first professional esports team, the Cincinnati Fear. Her career reflects a passion for bridging sports, education, live events, and emerging technologies to create meaningful opportunities for students, volunteers, and fans alike.

Fun fact: Her first gaming console was an Atari 2600, proof she has been a gamer since the beginning.