ShayAnn Baker
Manager, Return Utah | State of Utah
What do you consider to be one of your most significant achievements and why?
Since Return Utah’s inception in 2021, the program has received consistent praise and notoriety on a local and national scale, along with numerous awards from public/private partners and associations. However, my most significant achievement in building and managing Return Utah is centered on our returnees. I know and cater the return-to-work experience to every program participant. I want them to succeed, I want them to have a phenomenal experience, and I want to set them up for success. Doing so, person by person, journey by journey, is the most fulfilling and affirming thing I do.
What does success look like to you?
For me, success is measured by small wins; the productive use of my skillset and intuition to make an impact in the workplace, at home, in my relationships and in my community. On days when the impact is weighted unfairly, success is the ability to keep reaching for impact incessantly. The desire for impact and my daily efforts compound to create great value for me.
What future endeavors are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to some market testing and in-depth data analysis of the Return Utah program that could potentially lead to a rebuild, celebrating Return Utah’s fifth anniversary, and the continued efforts with our partners to create an ecosystem that is friendly for Utahns looking to return to work.
