LEADERSHIP
"EXCELLENCE IS A HABIT, NOT AN EVENT." -DAVID A. THOMAS
Dorien Baker's dedication to community service is exemplified by his extensive and varied contributions. He has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing the needs of his environment, positively impacting numerous individuals and leaving a lasting mark on the organizations he has worked with.
In Chicago, as a youth, Dorien made significant contributions through his service. He served on the youth board at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he developed inclusive strategies for local teens. He was a successful fundraiser for The DuSable Museum of African American History's Women's Board, raising substantial funds over the years. His civic engagement extended to serving as a Judge of Election for Cook County. He also served as a spokesperson for community organizations and inclusion initiatives, working with influential groups such as Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Push, ComEd, Exelon, The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Financial Services Pipeline Initiative, and Urban Gateway's Street Level.
His pro-bono work for the City of Chicago spanned three divisions: Office of the Mayor, Office of Budget and Management, and Department of Finance. Here, his self-led research and implementation of new workflows and monetary recuperation strategies continue to save and generate substantial funds for the city annually.
Dorien has logged hundreds of service hours while in Chicago, serving more than double the hours Chicago Public High Schools required.
Upon moving to Atlanta for his collegiate studies, Dorien swiftly established a robust network within the city, initiating a series of significant endeavors. He founded the Student Advisory Board under the dean of Morehouse College and collaborated with Spelman College to implement pivotal ordinances and policies, bolstering the safety and interests of the collegiate community. In his esteemed role as a Presidential Ambassador for Morehouse College, he engaged with a myriad of distinguished global and industry leaders, contributing to the discourse on various critical issues.
Working closely with Morehouse's offices, executive leadership, and board of trustees, Dorien played a pivotal role in identifying and addressing key concerns impacting the college's stakeholders and continues to serve as an advisor to college leadership. As the Student Chair for the 2021 Morehouse Commencement exercises, he led 40 student volunteers and managed event logistics with distinction. In his senior year, under the directive of the Morehouse Vice President of External Relations and Alumni Engagement, he revitalized the inactive UNCF Pre-Alumni Association. His leadership as Chair and Co-President rapidly expanded the organization's membership to over 250, organizing an array of events, fundraisers, and professional development initiatives. His stewardship during the A Candle in the Dark Gala 2022 as the Student Gala Chair was instrumental, overseeing 65 student volunteers and orchestrating event logistics, significantly contributing to the UNCF MCPAA's status as the most impactful student organization at Morehouse College in 2022. Additionally, as the External Relations Director for the Campus Alliance for Student Activities (CASA), Dorien utilized his extensive network to overcome challenges and enhance CASA's operations. He was named 2021 HBCU Trancendent Leader by HBCU Tour for his remarkable achievements while a student at Morehouse College.
Additionally, Dorien has mentored many Morehouse and Spelman students, guiding them toward leadership roles and corporate opportunities, and was recognized as the #1 intern in America by WayUp in 2020 for his work with the U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. His consulting practice has created numerous job and internship opportunities, and he has been instrumental in securing donations for Morehouse College and its students to date.
He also was a part of the founding team of Positivity Water, which is the only black owned alkaline water in the country and has made sizable donations to Atlanta community organizations like Jack & Jill (both national and Atlanta chapter). Dorien also was a part of several efforts with Ray McGuire for New York Mayor, Mike Bloomberg for US President, Joe Biden for US President, Jon Ossoff for Georgia Senate, and Raphael Warnock for Georgia Senate campaigns while in Atlanta.
Dorien has logged thousands of service hours while in Atlanta, where there was no requirement by any organization he was a part of.
During his tenure at Citibank, he demonstrated exceptional analytical and leadership skills, significantly contributing to the organization's strategic and operational goals. He played a pivotal role in sourcing and analyzing merchant direct-to-consumer sales data, which was instrumental in driving targeted merchant outreach for CitiPay. His research in building a comprehensive merchant stakeholder contact database was crucial in supporting team outreach efforts. Dorien's aptitude for competitive analysis allowed him to identify key opportunities for strategic partnerships, showcasing his ability to understand and navigate complex market dynamics.
In addition to his analytical prowess, Dorien was responsible for leading monthly NDA ACRM tracking, collaborating closely with legal and compliance teams, ensuring adherence to critical regulatory requirements. His ability to leverage bank relationships proved invaluable, as he delivered essential data and insights that empowered the sales team and drove strategic decisions. He also played a vital role in organizing weekly team meetings with the CitiPay managing director, ensuring efficient communication and alignment of team objectives. These efforts collectively underscore his significant impact on operational efficiency and strategic direction at Citi.
In addition to his primary role at Citi, Dorien actively contributed to the company's cultural and strategic initiatives. He was a key member of the Citi HBCU Awareness Steering Committee and the Black Heritage Network New York Strategic Development Committee. In 2023, he also held the esteemed position of a Citi Changemaker. In these capacities, he played a pivotal role in fostering positive cultural change within the bank. His efforts were focused on elevating awareness of the bank's initiatives, enhancing recruitment strategies at diverse colleges and universities, and organizing engaging events. By facilitating open dialogues in firm-wide public formats, he effectively served as a cultural brand ambassador for Citi, championing inclusivity and diversity. Dorien's involvement in these committees and as a Changemaker underscores his commitment to creating a more inclusive and aware corporate environment.
Dorien's contributions at Citi reflect a unique blend of analytical thinking, strategic planning, and leadership capabilities, making him an invaluable asset to the team and the organization at large. His efforts not only enhanced internal processes but also had a significant impact on Citi's client engagement and business strategies.
Dorien has logged hundreds of community service hours while at Citi, and earned the White House Presidential Service Award for 2022 and 2023.
After leaving corporate America, Dorien C. Baker has demonstrated a unique blend of strategic insight and operational expertise across private equity and consulting, making significant contributions to each role he undertakes. In early 2024, Dorien ran his consulting practice full-time, delivering transformative results for clients across multiple industries. He spearheaded membership growth strategies for a Black economic empowerment cooperative, managed their internship program, and streamlined operations with tailored AI-driven solutions. His consulting work also involved supporting a European technology company’s entry into the U.S. market, overseeing product implementation, and advising on strategic market positioning, which led to a successful launch. In the education sector, Dorien developed Python-based automation tools for data sourcing, reducing operational costs and enhancing accessibility for school districts. Politically, he has supported several US based candidates at federal, state, and local levels leveraging a strategic approach focused on outcomes through policy development.
Transitioning into private equity, Dorien took on a strategic role where he has been instrumental in driving deal sourcing, detailed financial modeling, and robust due diligence processes. He has implemented tracking systems that streamline deal flow and enhance compliance, significantly improving team efficiency. A key aspect of his role involved advanced financial modeling and due diligence. Dorien meticulously analyzed financial statements, market positioning, and risk factors for potential acquisitions, providing comprehensive, data-driven recommendations that supported critical investment decisions. His use of AI-powered tools improved the accuracy and speed of due diligence, automating routine processes and allowing the team to focus on high-value activities.
Dorien has since spent split time between New York and Chicago in 2024.
He is an active member in the The Recording Academy, National Urban League Young Professionals, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, The Rainbow Push Coalition, The National Association of Securities Professionals, and Wall Street Friends.
