Meet the 2012 VolunteerMatch Client Summit Speakers: Karen Baker

On May 17-18, 2012 VolunteerMatch will gather its corporate clients for a day and a half of learning, sharing and networking. The 2012 VolunteerMatch Client Summit will feature several sessions led by corporate social responsibility (CSR) thought leaders. In this series of posts, we’ll introduce you to each of the speakers and what they’ll discuss at the Summit.

Solutions to active CSR program engagement are multi-faceted and often complicated. However, many of the barriers to active engagement are similar across different program approaches. During this session, panelists will discuss ways a group of cross-functional organizations can work together to break down the barriers to active CSR program engagement. Panelists will focus on tactical ways to achieve program success, approaching these challenges from the perspective of their relative areas of expertise: volunteer program management, disaster relief and response, giving and global engagement.

About Karen Baker:
Karen Baker currently serves as the State Cabinet Secretary of Service and Volunteering for Governor Jerry Brown. She leads CaliforniaVolunteers, the State Service Commission charged with administering the nation’s largest state AmeriCorps portfolio. In addition, CaliforniaVolunteers serves as the lead agency for disaster volunteering and donations management, and promotes volunteering and service across California.

Initially appointed in February 2006, Karen has forged vibrant public-private partnerships resulting in the creation of successful innovations, including the California Disaster Corps, CalVet Corps, and the Business Partners Program.

Under Karen’s leadership, CaliforniaVolunteers developed a network with the State’s local volunteer centers and created a searchable database of over 50,000 volunteer opportunities- therefore providing everyday Californians an avenue in which they can make a difference.