Executive Leadership
Leadership Philosophy
I believe the strongest organizations align strategy, governance, operations, and people around a shared purpose. My leadership philosophy emphasizes disciplined execution, financial stewardship, collaborative governance, and shared accountability to help organizations navigate complexity, strengthen performance, and achieve sustainable results.
Areas of Expertise
Enterprise Strategy
Translate organizational vision into strategic priorities that drive disciplined execution and measurable results.
Governance & Board Partnership
Partner with governing boards and executive teams to strengthen governance, accountability, and organizational performance.
Organizational Effectiveness
Design performance management systems that improve decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Public Investment & Financial Stewardship
Guide strategic resource allocation and financial stewardship to align investments with organizational priorities and long-term performance.
Executive Facilitation
Facilitate executive retreats, strategic planning sessions, governance discussions, and stakeholder engagement to build alignment and accelerate organizational priorities.
Organizational Change
Lead complex organizational change by aligning strategy, governance, people, and operations to strengthen long-term organizational performance.
Executive Impact
- Oversaw nearly $1 billion in federal and state investments supporting large-scale organizational initiatives.
- Led organizations with 2,000+ employees across complex, multi-division operations.
- Guided statewide organizational improvement initiatives impacting 72 districts and 186 schools.
- Informed $615 million in strategic public investment decisions through executive policy analysis.
- Developed strategic plans, executive policy briefs, and performance management systems that strengthened governance, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.
Thought Leadership & Executive Engagement
Selected Publications & Policy Briefs
Ball/Frost Group LLC | September 2026 | Policy memorandum examining district review processes and improvement partnerships in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Michigan and identifying policy and design considerations for California.
Ball/Frost Group LLC | July 2026 | Policy brief synthesizing field perspectives, implementation considerations, and strategic recommendations to support California's transition to the governance and accountability structure established by Assembly Bill 126 and Scenario B.
Ball/Frost Group LLC | May 2026 | Policy memorandum identifying opportunities to strengthen coherence, accountability, and effectiveness within California's Differentiated Assistance and Statewide System of Support to improve support for districts and student outcomes.
Overcoming Challenges with the Design and Implementation of a Quarterly Data System
IPEL Publishing | 2025
Book chapter examining the design and implementation of a quarterly data system to strengthen organizational performance monitoring, data-informed decision-making, and continuous improvement.
Executive & Legislative Engagement
Michigan Senate and House Education & Appropriations Committees (2015–2017)
Presented statewide strategy, organizational performance, and public investment recommendations to legislative leaders.
Dr. Baker continues to advise executive leaders, contribute to policy and organizational improvement initiatives, and explore how governance, strategy, and implementation strengthen organizational performance across complex institutions.