Robert Harter joined McKnight in January 2022 as a programs assistant and transitioned to his current role as Executive Programs Assistant in June 2024.
As a member of the Program Integration team, Robert engages deeply with cross-functional departments that amplify the work of McKnight’s grantmaking program areas. He plays a key role in project coordination, managing information, maintaining systems and processes, and helping McKnight’s program teams meet their collective priorities.
Robert brings to McKnight a wealth of experiences in legislative and electoral strategy, relationship building, and data management. He joins McKnight most recently from the Minnesota Nurses Association, where he supported their government affairs department, which included their political director, lobbyists, organizers, and communications team. Prior to Minnesota Nurses, Robert worked at Berns Knight Law Firm, the Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus, State Senator Matt Little’s office, and the law firm of Faegre, Baker, Daniels.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He lives in Saint Paul and in his spare time loves to go backpacking and hiking.