Robert Harper
Senior Community Empowerment Manager
Meet Robert
As Senior Community Empowerment Manager for Mortenson's Sports + Entertainment group, Robert helps ensure the venues we build create lasting social and economic impact in the communities they serve. With 10 years of industry experience, he partners with teams from pursuit through construction to define their goals, measure outcomes and build long-term community relationships.
Professional Experience
As Senior Community Empowerment Manager, Robert leads community empowerment strategy for Mortenson's Sports + Entertainment group. He works alongside pursuit, preconstruction and project teams to support community goals, align on desired outcomes and deliver measurable social and economic impact on some of the most high-profile projects in the country.
Robert brings 10 years of industry experience, including time on DBE research teams that gave him a deep understanding of the intricacies behind community benefits. Throughout his career, he has piloted new initiatives and created new ways of engaging the local business community, partnering and equipping them with tools to drive more equitable outcomes.
Board Positions:
- MLK Legacy Awards
Advisory Committee - Citizens League
Chair, Finance Committee - Voices, Inc.
Board of Directors
Industry Experience:
- Sports + Entertainment
- Community Empowerment and Community Benefits
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Inclusion
- Pursuits and Preconstruction Strategy
We can always go further together.
Leading with influence
Leadership is having the power to establish a set of principles that inspire others to achieve their potential. It's about following your moral compass, regardless of the circumstances. A good leader knows how to influence, even when they aren't in a position of authority.
One of the best pieces of advice I've received is not to be afraid of making mistakes. Working in an organization with a culture this strong gives you the confidence to perform and trust your instincts. The mistakes I made early on have only made me even better.
Making impact measurable
What drew me to construction is how finite it is. Our efforts and impact are measurable. The pursuit and preconstruction phases give me time to level-set on our strategy and the outcomes we're aiming to achieve before major projects begin. Then, working with project teams to get it done is the fulfilling part. The scale of our projects gives us a tremendous amount of influence to change communities for the better.
Going further together
There's a certain level of trust at Mortenson, especially within our Sports + Entertainment team, where we allow our experts to lead in their respective functions. When everyone brings their knowledge to the table and pulls in the same direction, it's a sight to see. That collaboration extends beyond, too. With great teamwork, we've been able to drive success collaboratively. We can always go further together.
Personal Passions
You cannot serve the community if you don’t love the community. My board and committee roles help me better understand my community's interests, challenges and needs, and make me better prepared to serve. Successful partnership means the community sees us not only as a builder of amazing structures, but as a long-term partner helping solve some of its most pressing socioeconomic challenges.
Interests
- Working out
- Singing R&B
- Watching Chicago sports with my grandma
- Theater and musicals
- Live music concerts