Forty Under 40: Kirby Jett Harris

Kirby Jett Harris said she isn’t a whiz with numbers, and she got into banking accidentally. But she found a great fit for herself in business development at Truity Credit Union.

Harris supports Truity’s largest community partners by being a resource for their employees. If someone needs a home loan, for instance, or wants to set up direct deposit, Harris makes sure that person gets the help he or she needs. Tyson Foods is the credit union’s largest partner.

No two days are the same for Harris. She’s busy with luncheons, women’s business resource functions, and events with both the Springdale and Fayetteville chambers. She supports the Springdale chamber in redevelopment efforts for Emma Avenue and downtown.

A native of Baton Rouge, La., Harris graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2010 with a dietetics degree. During college, she worked part-time in banking and after graduation decided to continue. She has also worked for Centennial Bank and Integrity First Bank. She was a teller, an executive assistant, and worked in commercial lending before finding her best fit in business development.

Truity emphasizes community service, Harris said. She graduated from Leadership Fayetteville in 2016 and will chair its 2018-19 class. She also served four years on the Dream Big Charity Gala committee for the Children’s Safety Center. She and her husband co-chaired the event this summer.

Harris has participated three years with Team Brunette for the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Blondes vs. Brunettes football fundraiser, and she volunteered to be league commissioner next year. She’s also proud to have successfully battled ovarian cancer. She finished treatment in January and was pronounced cancer free.