Sherry's Experience

Sherry Baker has always been involved in volunteering in her community.  Starting from her teenage years, whenever there has been an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, Sherry has been there – either leading or working behind the scenes.  

After earning a degree in Home Economics at UBC, she taught high school until her husband finished university and their first child was born.  The family moved to Chilliwack and Sherry immediately got involved, with her husband, in Kinsmen.  This was followed by a long engagement with the Community Arts Council, first as a volunteer and then as the Executive Director with the vision to build a Theatre and Cultural Centre – which opened in 1984.  In keeping with her commitment to the community, Sherry worked part-time for the local Cable TV station to develop a local, community-access TV station.  By 1979, there were over 70 volunteers producing 12 ½ hours of original programming every week.

Sherry served on the Chilliwack City Council for 6 years in the 1980’s.  She completed a Diploma in Business Administration in 1984 with an emphasis on managing Non-profit organizations.  In 1994, she completed a Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavioral Science from City University in Seattle and, the next year, was hired as the Executive Director of Ishtar Transition Housing Society in Langley.  By then her children were grown,  she and her husband had separated, and she had moved to Fort Langley.  While at Ishtar, Sherry took another part-time contract as CEO of the Aldergrove Neighbourhood House to help them through a transition in leadership.  After 10 years at Ishtar, Sherry was hired as co-Executive Director at Collingwood Neighbourhood House in Vancouver.  It was not a good fit, so her next move was to the private sector where she had a company which was set up to match people over 55 with potential employers.  

In 2010, all the stars aligned, and Sherry became the Executive Director of the BC Association of Community Response Networks.  She was successful in getting full funding from the Province of BC in 2012 to do elder abuse awareness and prevention in BC.  By 2024 the BC CRN has grown to provide support for a coordinated community response to adult abuse, neglect and self-neglect in almost 90 community networks working in over 250 communities in BC.  There were about 25 professionals on contract working towards a shared vision to make this happen. 

In 2024, Sherry left the BC CRN and set up a consulting business to support leaders who are dedicated to “making a difference” through the creation of a purpose driven learning organization.

Sherry has been a member of Rotary International since 1992.  She has been awarded 4 Paul Harris Fellowships.