In her new role, Baker will lead the company-wide Diversity Center of  Expertise (COE) and report to Jim Porter, Carlson's executive vice president of  human resources. Baker will become a member of the Carlson Human  Resources Leadership Council and continue to serve on the Diversity Advisory  Team and Multi-Cultural Committee. 

Baker also will be responsible for establishing a long-term diversity strategy aligned to all of Carlson's operating groups. Her COE will aim to continually build a culture where Carlson's work environment is a great place that attracts and retains great people. 

Prior to her new assignment, Baker was vice president of diversity for Carlson Hotels Worldwide (CHW), where she was responsible for leading the hotel group's strategy and tactics in support of diversity and inclusion. 

She joined Carlson in 2001 as general manager of reservations for CHW, managing the Omaha, Sidney and Mexico City reservation centers. Under her leadership, in 2003, the CHW Reservations Sales and Services center in Omaha was named the top company on the "Best Places to Work in Omaha" list by the Great Places to Work Institute. In 2005, CHW was recognized with the "2005 Mosaic Award for Diversity" by the Human Resources Association of the Midlands. 

Baker also has been an active member of her community, and is a past member of the Board of Directors of Family Services of the Midlands, serving Iowa and Nebraska. She also was selected to participate in Carlson's 2005 Executive Leadership Program. 

Prior to coming to Carlson, Baker owned her own consulting business with a focus on working with clients to launch new businesses. She has a broad base of general management experience, both nationally and internationally, in sectors including high tech, finance, insurance, travel and hospitality, and consumer products.

Carlson Companies is a global leader in the hotel, restaurant, business and leisure travel, and marketing industries.

Based in Minneapolis, Carlson's brands and services employ about 190,000  people in more than 150 countries.

Sam Macalus, Director of Public Relations
Ph: 763-212-2477
[email protected]
www.carlson.com