Simone Baker

Leadership Giving Officer

Simone Baker, Leadership Giving Officer

Simone Baker joined University Advancement in 2024 as a leadership giving officer. In this role, she engages alumni, corporate and foundation partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen LMU’s philanthropic priorities across colleges and programs.

Baker began her career as a primary school teacher in São Paulo, Brazil, where she developed a passion for supporting education and student success. She later worked in the Brazilian stock market, gaining financial and business expertise, and in international export-import consulting, where she built cross-border partnerships.

For nearly a decade, she served as director of business development at Beacon Economics, engaging clients across industries — including universities, public agencies, utilities, and nonprofits — and producing large-scale business events. Deeply committed to community engagement, she also served as a board member and fundraising chair at Broadway Elementary School in Venice, where she raised nearly half a million dollars annually for four years through volunteer-driven initiatives.

Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of São Paulo and a master’s degree in dual language education from California State University, Long Beach. Originally from Taiwan and raised in Brazil, she is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and Taiwanese Mandarin. She and her husband enjoy traveling, exploring new cuisines, and spending time outdoors — especially while cheering on their son’s soccer journey.