Derek Baker (he/him)

Derek Baker has a diverse and extensive work experience. Derek is currently serving as the Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives & Government Affairs at the Seattle Aquarium, where they are responsible for executing key organization-wide initiatives and coordinating public fundraising efforts. Derek also played a crucial role in leading the institution's crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to their current position, Derek worked as the Director of Strategic Initiatives & Government Affairs at the Seattle Aquarium and as the Senior Communications Manager. In these roles, they focused on strategic communications, public affairs activities, and stakeholder outreach.

Before joining the Seattle Aquarium, Derek worked at Northwest Passage Consulting, where they served as a Political, Strategic, and Public Affairs Consultant. Derek played a key role in crafting political strategies, media relations, and messaging for a portfolio of over 100 clients, including statewide executive offices, congressional candidates, and issue campaigns.

Derek has also served in various roles within the Washington State Legislature. Derek worked as a Policy Staff & Communications Specialist, where they coordinated messaging for the House Democratic Caucus. Additionally, they served as a Legislative Aide to John McCoy, managing schedules, tracking legislative priorities, and representing their boss in public forums.

Furthermore, Derek has experience in managing political campaigns. Derek served as the Campaign Manager for the "No on Initiative 1183" ballot initiative and managed a substantial budget, staff, and voter contact programs. Derek also worked as the Deputy Director for the House Democratic Campaign Committee, overseeing programming, field activities, and strategic planning.

Early in their career, Derek served as the Campaign Manager for a first-time candidate running for the Washington State House of Representatives, where they oversaw all aspects of the campaign.

Lastly, Derek gained valuable experience as an intern at the US Senate Budget Committee, where they worked with policy analysts, conducted research, and learned about the legislative process.

Overall, Derek Baker has a strong background in strategic communications, government affairs, and political campaign management. Their experience spans across various sectors, including nonprofit organizations, consulting, and government.

Derek Baker (he/him) pursued their education at Western Washington University from 1998 to 2002. During this period, they earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government. Additionally, Derek also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the same institution.