Karen Baker receives the Lifetime of Service Award. From left are Michael D. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, AmeriCorps; Karen Baker, Executive Director, Yolo Food Bank; Sonali Nijhawan, Director, AmeriCorps State and National. Photo courtesy of Yolo Food Bank

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - Karen Baker, Executive Director of Yolo Food Bank, has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime of Service Award through the 2024 Excellence in AmeriCorps Awards, a testament to her more than 30 years of dedicated public service. This national recognition highlights Baker’s lasting impact on communities across the country. She continues to exemplify committed civic engagement through her leadership at Yolo Food Bank.

Baker is a transformational leader, leading efforts at local, state, and national levels to advance service and volunteerism. From helping launch AmeriCorps to serving as the nation's first cabinet-level Secretary of Service under three California governors, her career has been defined by a deep commitment to uplifting those in need. Today, as the executive director of Yolo Food Bank, Baker’s work ensures that thousands of food-insecure residents in Yolo County receive the nourishment they need.

Karen Baker receives the Lifetime of Service Award. From left are Sonali Nijhawan, Director, AmeriCorps State and National; Karen Baker, Executive Director, Yolo Food Bank. Photo courtesy of Yolo Food Bank

“Karen Baker has dedicated her career to public service and this award is so well-deserved,” remarked Lucas Frerichs, Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. “We are so fortunate to have a leader of her caliber leading the Yolo Food Bank, an organization that coordinates more than 2,400 volunteers and serves the most vulnerable residents in our community.”

As California’s former Chief Service Officer, Baker’s contributions extend far beyond Yolo County. Her leadership in disaster preparedness as program architect and co-chair of Listos California, a statewide campaign to build disaster preparedness and provide COVID education for vulnerable and diverse populations, has made an indelible impact on the state.

“Karen Baker's lifetime of service has strengthened our great state for the millions of people who call California home,” said Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer. “Her leadership as the former Chief Service Officer of the California Service Commission through three administrations has expanded national service to nearly every county in the state and lifted-up our most vulnerable populations and under-resourced communities. So many of us stand on Karen's shoulders and will forever be grateful for her trailblazing leadership.”

Karen Baker receives the Lifetime of Service Award at AmeriCorps National and State Symposium in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Yolo Food Bank

In her current role, Baker’s ability to mobilize resources and inspire action has been a lifeline for thousands in Yolo County. Baker’s national recognition highlights the broader impact of service and the role effective leadership plays in addressing community needs. Her award serves as a reminder that the spirit of service can fuel lasting change, not just for today but for generations to come.

For more information on Yolo Food Bank and how to get involved, please visit www.yolofoodbank.org.