CHRIS BARON

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.