Joselyn Butler Baker

Joselyn Butler Baker was named president of the Grady Health Foundation in the fall of 2018, bringing to the position over 25 years of experience as a strategist, communicator and fundraiser for a number of Georgia’s leading organizations and individuals. Prior to this role, she worked with clients seeking to affect change in areas including health care, transportation, education and conservation through her consulting practice, Butler Baker Communications.

Baker served as senior vice president for External Affairs at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest business advocacy organization, from 2008 to 2015. During that time, she worked with key business leaders and other stakeholders to create and maintain a competitive business environment. Baker was responsible for message development, public and media relations, branding, digital marketing, investor communications and events and programs.

As assistant general manager for communications at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) from 2004 to 2008, Baker successfully led efforts to extend the Authority’s one-cent sales tax and implement the nation’s only 100% smart card fare collection system. Responsible for both external and internal communications, as well as marketing, customer service and government affairs functions, she saw the Authority through two management transitions, multitudes of crises, and numerous improvements to its customer and employee communication programs.

Baker was honored to serve as press secretary to Georgia Governor Roy Barnes and during that time proved her ability to craft compelling messages, develop quick responses, and manage media relationships. It was during this time that she was named one of “40 under 40” by Georgia Trend magazine.

Joselyn Baker has had the privilege of working with many of Georgia’s finest leaders including United States Senator Johnny Isakson, Attorney General Thurbert Baker, and former Governor and United States Senator Zell Miller. Her career accomplishments also include serving as communications counsel to some of Atlanta’s most prominent business leaders, managing two gubernatorial inaugurations, raising millions of dollars for political candidates, and serving in various capacities in statewide political campaigns.

While Joselyn loves her Georgia home, she is proud of her roots in New Orleans, Louisiana, which she left to attend Oglethorpe University, for which she now serves on the Board of Trustees.