Shelly Baker is an executive leader who understands how governance, technology, operations, and philanthropy intersect to help modern institutions thrive. With more than twenty years of experience helping complex, mission-driven organizations achieve ambitious institutional and fundraising goals, her career spans higher education, healthcare philanthropy, research, and the charitable sector.
As Associate Vice President, Fundraising Operations at Scarborough Health Network Foundation, Shelly provides leadership for operations, technology, business intelligence, data governance, gift administration, privacy, campaign planning, and organizational performance in support of one of Canada’s largest community-based healthcare systems and a ten-year, $750 million campaign.
Her previous roles include senior leadership positions at Wilfrid Laurier University, Perimeter Institute, Carleton University, and the University of Calgary. Across these institutions, she has contributed to campaigns ranging from $130 million to $1.4 billion, supported advancement enterprises of significant scale, prepared institutional leaders for principal gift conversations, and partnered with Presidents, CEOs, Boards, Deans, fundraisers, researchers, and industry leaders.
Shelly is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and ability to bring people together around shared objectives. Her experience spans campaign leadership, advancement operations, governance, finance, technology modernization, business intelligence, strategic planning, risk management, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including AI. She is particularly passionate about helping institutions use data, technology, and innovation to deepen relationships, improve decision-making, and increase mission impact.
A lawyer and member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario, Shelly brings expertise in governance, policy, privacy, compliance, and fiduciary stewardship. She also serves as Co-Chair of It Gets Better Canada, contributing to governance, philanthropy, strategy, finance, risk, and organizational leadership in support of 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Canada.