Dream Team: DaWon Baker
DaWon Baker is the Diversity and Inclusion Director at University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletics. He is responsible for diversity and inclusion initiatives for all Huskers staff, coaches and student-athletes. Dawon is also on the board of directors for DIECE (Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Council of Excellence. The Mission of DIECE is to discuss, evaluate, and create tangible solutions that drive intentional growth toward increased diversity and inclusive excellence within college athletics.
WE: What drew you to Winning Edge in the beginning?
DaWon: The mission! I enjoy when companies and programs are very intentional with their purpose and mission. WE has always been intentional with the programming and the individuals they connect the students to. I believe it is needed in our world. I also had a few student-athletes who had an interest in participating, and a few colleagues that participated in programming in the past. WE kept popping up in my circle, so I thought it was only right for me to learn more about it individually.
WE: How did you become part of the Advisory Committee?
DaWon: I believe it was due to my interests in continuing to partner with WE after sending student-athletes to the Game Changers Retreat. I had a phone call with the Executive Director and expressed my interests in helping serve the organization, and it was received very well. I think my continued interest played a large role.
WE: Why is diversity important to you?
DaWon: I truly believe that we will not be at our best if all perspectives are not considered, so diversity is vastly important because it is the very difference that can be the difference between good and bad, winning and losing, and right and wrong. In addition, I believe representation is so important for future goals and your vision for yourself as an individual. It is proven that if someone that is similar to you (in appearance, background, etc.) that you are more likely to see yourself in a similar role and position. This is so important because literal lives and dreams can change based on who you see doing what.
WE: What's the most meaningful or memorable part of your career?
DaWon: I think my most meaningful part of my career so far was my internship with the NCAA. The postgraduate internship program literally set me up for success in my career. I met coaches and administrators who champion the student-athlete experience, and the values and leadership I witnessed had a profound impact on me both personally and professionally. Without the internship, I doubt I’d be the administrator that I am today.
WE: Tell us about your favorite memory with Winning Edge.
DaWon: My favorite memory with Winning Edge had to be when Maria Taylor visited my campus for College Gameday. One of my student-athletes that I have the privilege of working with, connected with her and was able to shadow her throughout the day due to her involvement with WE. To see the pride that the student-athlete carried throughout that week, knowing that WE played a role in their development, showed me that we were on the right track and prepping this student-athlete for a successful life outside of playing a sport. It was also cool to hear the athlete brag about how impactful it was to watch the day unfold behind the scenes.
Helena Wu is a Duke University 2020 graduate with a BS in biology. She is currently pursuing a Master of Management in Clinical Informatics at Duke University School of Medicine, and is a competitive, record-holding powerlifter in USA Powerlifting.
