Mr. Baker brings to the CEO position 23 years of experience in the charitable sector, spanning healthcare, social services and education. Most recently, Mr. Baker was the Executive Director of Development for Ryerson University, responsible for leading a team that raised in excess of $15 million annually in philanthropic support for student aid, capital projects and faculty recruitment.

Prior to Ryerson, Mr. Baker was the National Vice President of Development for the Canadian Diabetes Association, where he led a nationwide development team of volunteers and staff charged with successfully generating in excess of $32 million annually for diabetes research and prevention programs. In this position, he was also a member of CDA’s senior management team and strategic planning committee, playing a key role in developing the Association’s overall position and scope. Mr. Baker has also held senior positions with TVOntario and the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Baker is an MBA graduate from the Richard Ivey School of Business at UWO and holds a BA in Communications Studies from the University of Windsor. SMARTRISK is a Canadian leader in injury prevention and enjoys international recognition and support. Its programs designed to help youth learn to take smart risks include SMARTRISK Heroes, a travelling, multi-media show hosted by a survivor of injury, and SMARTRISK No Regrets, a peer education program that gives a permanent home to smart risk messages in Canadian high schools.

After 17 years at the helm of SMARTRISK, Dr. Conn leaves for new challenges, while remaining committed to the cause of smart risk taking and to the organization he founded. Dr. Conn’s groundbreaking vision was to understand that risk is a part of everyday life but that people can learn to recognize and manage the risks in their lives. Dr. Conn replaced the traditionally negative approach to risk with simple, positive messages that help people to navigate risk while enjoying a fulfilling life. On behalf of the Board and staff of SMARTRISK, we welcome Mr. Baker to his new position and look forward to working with him and we thank Dr. Conn for his 17 years of leadership.

Mike Stevens
Chair of the Board of Directors
SMARTRISK