Chris Baron's
Bio
You rarely make it to the top alone.
Passionate About Inspiring Others
"Don't be afraid to be authentic. When you're not authentic, your employees, your friends, your family, are all onto you. Lead with genuine authentic care. Stay authentic, stay real."
About Chris
Chris Baron is the author of The Fearless Leader: A Sensible Guide to Practicing Authentic Leadership. She is also a speaker, mentor, inspirational leader, and a personal growth catalyst. She began her career as a Verizon Wireless account executive in 1993, ultimately rising to senior leadership positions over the next 24 years before retiring in 2017. In one of her positions, she was president of the Midwest Area, where she led full responsibility for $18 billion P&L with over 14,000 employees spanning 15 states. She also managed the distribution strategy including 500 company-owned retail stores and 2,000 indirect locations. Under her leadership, the Midwest Region was the leader in market share growth in one of the most competitive wireless markets in the nation.
In her capacity as senior vice president of National Operations, she oversaw retail sales operations and the design for more than 1,900 national company-owned retail stores. As senior vice president of the Global Supply Chain, she led end-to-end supply chain management of all Verizon companies including $35 billion in sourcing and procurement activities. She oversaw the company’s sustainability initiative including reducing Verizon’s carbon footprint. In her last assignment, Chris led national customer service operations including managing a team of over 18,000 employees in 22 call centers and all partner relationships.
She is the recipient of dozens of leadership awards including Verizon’s Chairman’s Award (2009). She was recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine as one of New Jersey’s “40 Under Forty” and “Best 50 Women in Business,” in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
Chris is deeply passionate about contributing to the communities that she serves. For her community service, Chris received the 2008 Philadelphia Police Athletic League (PAL) “Philadelphia Citizen of the Year Award.” In 2007, she partnered with then-Senator Joseph Biden on domestic violence prevention efforts. She received the Vision of Peace Award from the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2004, just to name a few.
Chris served on the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Police Athletic League. She holds a bachelor of Arts degree from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey.
She is passionate about leadership, inspiring teams through trust, and coaching people to strike a healthy mind and body balance. Chris resides on the scenic New Jersey shoreline with her wife, Anu Gupta.
Honors & Awards
Verizon’s Chairman’s Award, May 21, 2009
Senator Joseph Biden read a congressional statement acknowledging work against domestic violence on Senate floor, May 12, 2008
PAL Philadelphia Citizen of the Year Award, 2008
Citizen of the Year Award, Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, 2007
Eastern PA Business Journal Top Executive Award (accompanied by State Proclamation), 2007
Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction Award, 2007​
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​New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business, NJ Biz Magazine, 2007
40 under 40, New Jersey, NJ Biz Magazine, 2005
“Women of Courage: Women of Inspiration," Lutheran Settlement House (Domestic Violence prevention agency in Philadelphia), 2005
Vision of Peace Award, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2004
40 under 40, Philadelphia Business Journal, 2004
Verizon President’s Cabinet winner (Top Regional President), 2003
Verizon President’s Cabinet winner (Top Corporate sales achiever), 1993 and 1994
Education & Professional Affiliations
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts, Thomas Edison State College, New Jersey
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Board of Directors, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce – 2005 to 2009
Philadelphia Police Athletic League, Commissioner’s Club – 2005 to 2013
Board of Directors, Philadelphia Police Athletic League – 2006 to present
Board of Directors, Philadelphia Police Foundation – 2009 to 2013