From Lab Coats to Client Calls: Joyce Harmon’s Formula for Digital Change in Non-Profits

Our profile series showcases the remarkable achievements of individuals in the non-profit sector, including one unique Hart Square team member who combines her scientific background with digital expertise to drive impactful change.

No need for test tubes – just read on for Joyce Harmon’s expert advice on navigating change and leading your organisation to digital success, all backed by a bit of scientific know-how and a lot of passion for making a difference!

Q. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role?

I’m Joyce Harmon, Head of Client Services at Hart Square and have been with the organisation for over 6 years. At Hart Square, we work across all elements of the not-for-profit sector, from charities to membership bodies and everything in between. , helping them implement technology solutions to meet their goals. We support organisations of all sizes, from organisations with 4 staff up to many hundred, and I love the variety this brings to my role.

Before joining Hart Square, I worked for a technology partner in a marketing and communications role, primarily serving the not-for-profit and financial sectors. I had known Hart Square through their consultancy work and events like TechSmart, so when I decided to focus solely on the not-for-profit space, moving to Hart Square was a logical next step for me.

I was attracted to Hart Square because of its excellent reputation in the sector and the opportunity to work exclusively with not-for-profits. I was familiar with their work and I knew they made a real difference to the organisations they supported. The chance to focus on helping charities and membership bodies achieve their goals was something I couldn’t pass up.

Q. Why did you choose to work the non-profit sector in particular?

What drives me is the knowledge that the projects we work on make a real difference to the organisations we support and the people they serve. Whether it’s a charity helping people in need or a membership body providing value to its members, there’s always a clear purpose behind the work we do. It’s not just about implementing technology for technology’s sake, but about delivering real, positive change.

Q. Professional fact (e.g., favourite part of your role) and personal fact (e.g., something that might surprise your colleagues to know about you)?

Professionally, my favourite part of my role is the variety – no two days are the same. One day I might be helping a new client plan a digital project, and the next I might be supporting an ongoing project or organising a webinar. I also love working at Hart Square because of the impact we’re able to have. We help organisations deliver technology projects on time and on budget, but more importantly, we help them achieve their strategic goals. The ongoing relationships we have with clients, the referrals, and the opportunities to work on such a wide range of projects are what make my role so fulfilling.

As for a personal fact, something that might surprise people is that I started my career as a Nutritionist and then moved into the world of international conferences in the Life Sciences sector, which I did for many, many years. So really, I am a geeky scientist at heart!

Q. Digital projects can inherently bring change. What piece of advice would you give to a non-profit organisation who was looking to embark on a digital/change project?

My biggest piece of advice would be not to think of it purely as a technology project. It’s really a people and change project. Technology is there to enable people, and if you don’t bring them along on the journey – if they don’t understand why the change is happening or how it will affect them – you risk the project failing, no matter how much money or time you invest.

Q. What is the most important aspect of change that organisation should be aware of?

It’s not just about the technologies themselves but also about managing the change. A big challenge for many organisations is underestimating the amount of work involved, especially from their staff. It’s essential to have the right governance structure in place and to be realistic about roles and responsibilities. Mismanaging these can derail even the best technology projects.

Q. What value have you seen Hart Square provide to its clients?

We’re very lucky to have built strong relationships with our clients, and one of the things I’m most proud of is how often we get referred by past clients. In many cases, clients who have moved to new organisations have brought us in to work on their projects. It’s a real testament to the quality of our work and the difference we make.