IRENE BAKER

Executive Director for Global Philanthropy
JPMorgan Chase

Irene Baker is the Executive Director for Global Philanthropy at JP Morgan Chase leading the firm's Cities Strategy, including central coordination of the firm's commitments in Detroit, Chicago and Washington D.C., and The Global Cities Initiative.

Before joining JPMorgan Chase & Company, Ms. Baker most recently was the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Madison Square Garden Company, overseeing all of the Company's public affairs matters.

Previously, Ms. Baker served as Director of the Regional Economic Development Councils for the Empire State Development Corporation, directing the creation, operation and processes of Governor Cuomo's 10 Regional Councils. This regional approach represented a fundamental shift in New York's economic development model, and, in its first year, it resulted in $785 million in awards to regionally significant, transformational priority projects. During this time, Ms. Baker simultaneously served as Director of Cabinet Affairs for New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's Office, acting as liaison with cabinet agency commissioners and organizing coordinated communication of Administration priorities across the State. Ms. Baker first joined state government in 2008, serving as Executive Counsel to then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Prior to entering State service, Ms. Baker spent three years as Chief of Staff to the President and Chief Executive of Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. (MMC). Before MMC, Ms. Baker was a litigation associate for Simpson Thacher &Bartlett, LLC. Ms. Baker started her career as a law clerk for Manton, Sweeney, Gallo, Reich & Bolz, LLP, before serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Joseph M. McLaughlin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Ms. Baker graduated magna cum laude from St. John's University School of Law and holds a B.A., cum laude, from Queens College.