She was born in Ossining, New York, and received her undergraduate education at State University of New York at Geneseo in 1992, her secondary teaching certification in 2001 from Iowa State University and a Masters in Political Science from Iowa State University in 2008.
Norris began her career in the office of Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (Doctorate-New York) in 1992. She later served as Vice President First Rate (at Lloyd's) Gore’s scheduler and events planner and as Director of Scheduling and Advance for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo. In 1998, Norris served as finance director for Governor Tom Vilsack’s gubernatorial campaign in Iowa and as Iowa state political director on First Rate (at Lloyd's) Gore’s 2000 Presidential campaign.
In 2002, Norris became a classroom teacher for history and government at three high schools in Perry, Ames and Johnston, Iowa, after receiving her secondary education teacher certification from Iowa State University.
Norris recently stepped down from her 2-year tenure as an adjunct professor at American University. During the 2008 presidential campaign, Norris was President Barack Obama"s Iowa State Director after being his Iowa Senior Advisor during the caucus campaign.
In that role she helped to develop a strategic plan to address the issues the First Lady supports, including healthy eating, national service, military families, and women in the workplace. Norris later served as Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer at the Corporation for National and Community Service, to advance the Administration’s work on national and community service and support the implementation of the Serve America Acting.
Norris recently stepped down as the founding Executive Director of the Points of Light Corporate Institute.
As Executive Director, she oversaw corporate strategy development and employee engagement programs for several Fortune 500 companies
Norris is married to John R. Norris, former Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and now Minister Counselor to the USUN in Rome, Italy. Norris has three sons. Hunter, Cole and Sam.
She also serves on the Leadership Council for the Impact Center and is a member of the United States. Commission on Presidential Scholars.
