Francis Harrison – 20 Under 40

The Compass School of Texas

36 | College of Charleston

When Francis Harrison saw a need for more schools in Dallas, she co-founded The Compass School of Texas.

“I have followed a long line of family members who choose to give back and have made a difference,” she said.

The school is in its first academic year and aims to create well-rounded students through math, reading, farm-to-table, yoga, music, chess, and other subjects.

She says her grandmothers and mother motivated her to get involved in the community.

Her maternal grandmother, Caroline Rose Hunt, took pride in supporting important initiatives in Dallas; her paternal grandmother, Ann Harrison, always volunteered at her church and local government. Growing up, Harrison watched her mother help grow the Dallas Children’s Theater and advocate for accessible art.

“As I have watched Dallas experience tremendous growth over these last few years, I realized that there was a lot that we needed to focus on to be able to accommodate for such growth,” Harrison said. “We have seen numerous industries relocate to North Texas, which has been incredible, but it also made me look at our current infrastructure and, most importantly, education.”

Her first job was working for nonprofit Operation Smile, translating for medical teams and archiving medical histories.

Following her nonprofit work, she founded Conscious Cultures LLC, which allowed her to secure Office of Foreign Assets Control licensing to take U.S. citizens on licensed educational and cultural trips to Cuba. She’s also a director at the Rosewood Corporation.

Harrison’s philosophy: “If it doesn’t exist, then build it.”

How do you motivate yourself and others? 

I try to lead and motivate by example, show humility, and be a problem solver. If the trash needs to be taken out or the fridge needs to be stocked, then I don’t hesitate to do it myself. I think that there is a strong balance between being a leader and a team player to motivating others.

What advice do you have for other young professionals?

In a world that is now dictated by instant gratification and constant transitions, I think loyalty, honesty, and long-term commitment go a long way.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

After having spent so many years in Cuba, I am passionate about good coffee and playing dominoes.

What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?

My grandmothers and mother have always been my biggest motivation to be involved in the community. I watched as my maternal  grandmother, Caroline Rose Hunt, took great pride in supporting important initiatives in Dallas. My paternal grandmother, Ann Harrison, has always volunteered at her church and in local government. As a child, I watched as my mother helped grow The Dallas Children’s Theater, and listened to countless stories of how important having accessible art is for the community. I have always been surrounded by women giving back, and that formed a lot of who I am as a person today.

Now  as I have watched Dallas experience tremendous growth over these last few years, I realized that there was a lot that we needed to focus on to be able to accommodate for such growth. We have seen numerous industries relocate to North Texas which has been incredible, but it also made me look at our current infrastructure and most importantly education.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first job out of college was working for Operation Smile. I learned patience and endurance during my time with that organization. We had long hours at the hospitals, handled hundreds of cases a day, and oftentimes had to navigate cultural differences. I am grateful for all that I learned during my time with Operation Smile, and have brought many of those skills into my current projects and endeavors.

Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?

My honest answer is that I would hope that what  I am involved in today would be successful and that I would be able to focus more on my family.

What is your favorite local restaurant or shop?

I love Rise.

What’s on your bucket list?

I want to live abroad again, but this time with my husband and children.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My children will forever be my inspiration because they are the future, and I care what their world looks like.

What was your “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career?

Most of my “lightbulb moments” have been when I identified a problem and saw needs for a solution. I truly believe in and have acted on “if it doesn’t exist, then build it.”

If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?

Oh goodness, not sure anyone would ever watch a movie about me, but it would probably be called Domino and I would be played by my sister Hassie Harrison.

Is there anything else you think we should know about you?           

I am fluent in Spanish and my husband is Cuban.