3 minute read
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
Embracing Change in a Chaotic Year
Starting a new job was not on her to-do list last year, but when she was presented with the opportunity to join online grocery delivery company Shipt as Vice President of Business Strategy, Stacye Baker ’94, like so many of us last year, embraced change.
Shipt delivers groceries and other goods from local and national retailers such as Target, Petco and CVS directly to your home. The company has seen significant growth since last March as consumers looked for ways to minimize trips to the store during the pandemic. In her new position, Stacye’s responsibilities encompass Shipt’s digital merchandising, including merchandising promotions and campaigns. She is also building a team to focus on retailer pricing strategies and business processes to drive collaboration across teams in the quickly growing business.
When lockdowns began across the country last March, Shipt initially focused on how to meet demand and deliver on customer expectations despite an unprecedented surge in interest. Now, Stacye is tasked with developing merchandising and pricing strategies that support Shipt’s growth. “I’m excited to work across the organization to determine what we need to build into the business to drive sustainable processes as we continue to grow,” she says. One of the highlights of Stacye’s role is working with numerous teams across the company. However, since starting at Shipt in September, Stacye hasn’t actually met any of her coworkers in person.
“Given the fact that I interviewed for a role, accepted a role and started a role, and I've never met anyone [at Shipt] in person, this is a unique situation,” laughs Stacye. “I am definitely excited about the opportunity to meet the team in person and form personal connections by getting to know everyone outside of Zoom calls.”
Starting a new job in the midst of a pandemic — and leaving her role as a Senior Director of Merchandising Services at Home Depot after 16 years — was a big step outside of Stacye’s comfort zone. Speaking just a few days before the end of the year, Stacye reflected that starting a new role in a completely different industry pushed her to “embrace change, because you really never know what's on the other side unless you pursue it.” She’s headed into 2021 pushing herself to proactively seek “new opportunities” — whether a new project at work or newfound hobbies and personal interests.
She credits Baldwin with helping to instill that confidence in her. “When I think back to Baldwin, my biggest takeaway is how the faculty and staff gave me the confidence to know that I can do anything,” she says.
As a volunteer on the National Board of Advisors for the past few years, Stacye has enjoyed deepening her connection to Baldwin. Hearing from Head of School Dr. Marisa Porges ’96 and current students about the technology and resources available today, Stacye is struck by how the curriculum has expanded and students are encouraged to be more aware of the world beyond the classroom. “It is this more global perspective that continues to empower Baldwin students to excel academically while also making a positive difference in the community.”
From her time at Baldwin and throughout her career as a corporate executive, Stacye has valued educational and work environments founded upon respect, collaboration and community impact. “The development of these core values traces back to my time at Baldwin,” she says. “It is important to me to work for companies that care about people as individuals and that are driven by a mission greater than just attaining its financial targets.”
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