Dr. Baker Harrell is a serial social entrepreneur, founding and leading multiple, successful nonprofit organizations over his 15-year career in the social services sector. During his tenure, Baker raised and managed more than $35 million in funding from federal and state agencies, corporations, grantmaking institutions, and individuals. He also forged multiyear strategic partnerships with some of Texas’ leading agencies, organizations, and companies, including H-E-B, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the University of Texas System, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.

In 2019, Baker selected Dr. Amy McGeady to succeed him as the CEO of It’s Time Texas – the statewide public health nonprofit that he founded in 2014. That same year, he received the Texas Health Champion award by Live Smart Texas and the University of Texas School of Public Health – Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living. Baker is an alumnus of UT Austin, where he earned his Master’s and doctoral degrees.

Last year, Baker partnered with Meredith Alderson and his wife Lisa Harrell to found Heyday – a purpose-driven real estate company whose social mission is to address affordable housing in the communities in which it operates. As a Principal at Heyday, Baker leads the company’s strategic growth, team success, and philanthropic efforts. Later this summer, Baker, Lisa, and their two daughters will be moving to Morrison, Colorado, where they will launch Heyday’s Colorado office.