FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2012
CONTACT:
Hillary John
202-434-2560
Media@aarp.org
Maxine B. Baker Joins AARP Foundation to Lead Four Human Impact Areas
WASHINGTON, DC – AARP Foundation today announced that Maxine B. Baker joined the organization as senior vice president for Impact Programs. In her new position, she will spearhead the organization’s priorities to help Americans 50+ in four areas: hunger, housing, isolation and income. She will serve as a member of AARP Foundation’s Leadership Team.
“We know that many people 50 and older are struggling to win back opportunity and move from a state of vulnerability to stability,” said Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP Foundation president. “Maxine brings a wealth of experience and is widely acknowledged as an energetic and visionary leader who will be instrumental in realizing the goals of the Foundation and making a difference in the lives of so many individuals.”
Baker currently serves as immediate past chair of the Board for Leadership Greater Washington; vice chair and secretary National Visionary Leadership Project; and as vice chair of the African American Nonprofit Network.
“Maxine brings ties to a broad and diverse network of advocates for vulnerable individuals across the country which includes national, regional and local political leaders. Her extensive experience leading human impact programs and demonstrated results in elevating issues to national prominence make her an ideal leader for the Foundation’s impact areas,” added Jenkins.
Previously, Baker was president and CEO of the Freddie Mac Foundation, where she led that organization to national and local prominence as a major supporter of programs and services for vulnerable children and their families.
Among her most notable accomplishments, Baker replicated nationally the successful Freddie Mac Foundation’s Wednesday’s Child televised program that features the hardest to place children in the foster care system. Two thousand children featured on these programs have found permanent homes, and through public education on this issue many other children have found permanent, loving homes.
Baker’s career with Freddie Mac began in 1982, where she led progressively responsible procurement, contract and budget positions before being appointed vice president, Administration and Corporate Properties. In that capacity, she was responsible for the development of the McLean, Va., headquarters location – from design, construction to move-in. During her 25-year tenure she assumed other executive leadership roles including Human Resources and Housing and Industry Relations.
She was educated in the public school system of Washington, D.C., and graduated from Emerson College with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications. Baker continued her graduate studies at the University of Maryland and Southeastern University, from which she received an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters.
About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.
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