Communicators spotlight: FTP's Michelle Baker
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Michelle Baker. Photo: Courtesy Michelle Baker
Michelle Baker leads the public affairs practice at FTP, formerly Forbes-Tate Partners, overseeing bipartisan federal and state advocacy, digital strategy, research and insight, and design.
Why it matters: As a leader at one of D.C.'s top lobbying firms, Baker advises clients on navigating the capital's unpredictable political environment.
The path here: "Seeing the good and bad of the health care system at an early age left an imprint," she said.
- "My mom had a serious heart attack and complicated recovery from surgery when I was a freshman in high school. She was a single mom, so I was in and out of hospitals and talking with surgeons when relatively young."
- The experience led her to work at the intersection of health care, public affairs and public relations at agencies including Weber Shandwick, Ogilvy and Ketchum.
Tough lesson: Learn to receive constructive feedback, even when it's uncomfortable.
- "I realized that the time a leader spent with me to help improve a plan or document was extremely valuable and an investment they were choosing to make in me," she said.
Trendspotting: "Midlife women are in their impact era," Baker said.
- She pointed to Gen X women running for state and local offices, growing investment in menopause care, and a "historically high" number of midlife women leading Fortune 500 companies and launching startups.
- "Companies must authentically engage with midlife women, who have no patience for fluff."
Playlist: Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast.
Morning ritual: "As I drive into the office, I listen to books on tape, then I switch to a pump-up song for the last few blocks to the office."
Best advice: Be the connector.
- "Introduce people from different life chapters to share ideas," she said. "Leverage your lived experiences to inform your work, help your network and do good."
Have a colleague, mentor or comms hero you want to see in this series? Let me know.
