FCS Diversity & Inclusion Forum: Renée Baker, Raymond James

Renée Baker is head of PCG Advisor Inclusion Networks at Raymond James, providing corporate support and leadership for the Women Financial Advisors Network, Black Financial Advisors Network and Pride Financial Advisors Network. In her role, she focuses on increasing representation of diverse advisors within the firm and the industry as a whole, working closely with Raymond James PCG Education & Practice Management and the firm’s head of diversity and inclusion. Previously, she served as chief marketing officer for Carillon Tower Advisers, a subsidiary of Raymond James, where she was responsible for the global marketing strategy for seven brands while leading a team of marketing professionals across several departments. She also has extensive asset management marketing experience across a variety of channels and geographies. Prior to joining Raymond James, she held senior-level marketing roles at various financial services firms, most recently at Aberdeen Standard Investments. In addition to her role, Renée is part of the Raymond James Diversity Council, serves as the firm’s national co-leader for the Mosaic Multicultural Inclusion Network and is a mentor for the Emerging Professionals Inclusion Network. Active in the community, she serves as a board member for Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) and as a trustee for American Stage. She is also an adjunct instructor at the University of South Florida where she teaches advertising management. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Rutgers University, a Master of Business Administration degree from The Pennsylvania State University, and a doctorate in Business Administration from Wilmington University. She also attended the Securities Industry Institute, hosted by SIFMA and Wharton, is a registered corporate coach through the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches and has her Series 6, 63 and 26 licenses.

Kirti Naik is Russell Investments’ global head of brand marketing & communications, responsible for leading and driving the development of the firm’s brand position and serving as the principal brand architect. She is an award-winning marketer with more than 17 years of experience in traditional marketing, consumer marketing, business-to-business and digital marketing across a variety of industries, including entertainment, manufacturing, luxury apparel, consumer banking and asset management. Prior to joining the firm, she served as global head of brand & advertising at OppenheimerFunds for nearly seven years, transforming the brand and leading marketing innovation via VR, 360, biometrics technology and a unique approach to brand partnerships. In her prior four years at Citibank, she launched new innovative communication platforms and led the company’s online communications strategy. She has an MBA from Columbia Business School.