Kayla Baker
Founder and Principal of Ryse Local Ventures (RYSE)
Kayla Baker is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experiences across the economic opportunity continuum. She started her career as a Wall Street banker during the Great Recession, which led Kayla to pursue work that ensures the U.S. economy works for everyone. Prior to RYSE, Kayla held senior leadership positions at two community development financial institutions, often partnering with national and local nonprofit and government leaders. At each, Kayla leveraged her business and financial acumen to elevate and implement grassroots solutions for systemic challenges that promote economic mobility. Since founding RYSE, Kayla worked closely with the Sustainable Capital Advisors team as a consultant on a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund sub-awardee application. Kayla has in-depth knowledge of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and served as a key author of the pass-through strategy of a successful Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) application, which was ultimately awarded nearly $1 billion. Kayla holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Cornell University. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Bowdoin College; the Board of Directors for Women of Color in Community Development; the Advisory Board for birdseed; and the Advisory Board for Network for Good. In her spare time, she enjoys reading nonfiction, traveling internationally, and outdoor activities.