Staff

Kristen Baker is Executive Director of LISC Greater Cincinnati, providing strategic leadership to housing, economic development, and neighborhood investments. Kristen joined LISC in 2011 and throughout her career with the organization she has worked to support equitable economic opportunity. Her most important work at LISC is helping neighbors build community by connecting their vision to funding sources, technical assistance, and other neighborhood revitalization efforts. Kristen has also led LISC efforts to build the capacity of community development corporations, provide technical assistance to a local network of centers for working families, manage a volunteer program that places key staff supports in neighborhoods, and manage key LISC financial investments. 

From early in her career, Kristen focused on community building in Greater Cincinnati by connecting people across the business, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Kristen brings nearly 20 years of experience working in Cincinnati’s non-profit community.  Kristen began her career at United Way of Greater Cincinnati, gaining an extensive background in outcomes-based measurement and program oversight. Kristen gained direct community organizing experience at the Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington. She holds a BA in Sociology and Master of Public Administration from the University of Dayton. She is a graduate of Leadership Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s We Lead program, and is on the leadership team of All-In Cincinnati, a racial equity coalition. Kristen enjoys traveling and attending concerts with her husband and two children.

Valerie joined LISC of Greater Cincinnati in 2020. Valerie has worked throughout Ohio to improve neighborhoods and communities by blending professional planning skills and community engagement with an asset-based focus for 20 years, and most recently has supported local communities to build capacity and resident leadership in the Greater Cincinnati region. Valerie works to support the ongoing implementation of resident-led, place-based community development, including Housing Our Future and Place Matters, and assists LISC and its partners in making data-informed, evidence-based decisions. She grew up just outside of Cincinnati and graduated with a Bachelor's in Urban and Regional Studies and a Master's in Regional Planning from Cornell University.

Taren joined LISC of Greater Cincinnati in 2020. Taren provides support to the Cincinnati Access Fund, our small business lending program focused on women and entrepreneurs of color. As an entrepreneur herself, Taren brings a wealth of expertise to our team. 

Taren is the Founder & CEO of Sweet Petit Desserts, a successful bakery in Cincinnati, OH. She is a U.S. Army Veteran and a visionary leader who opened her specialty bakery in 2008 by combining her 10+ years of corporate business experience with her love for baking. She is a 3rd-generation baker who believes in pouring into the youth, through her Junior Baking Series, to provide them a platform to become future entrepreneurs. As an inspirational speaker, Taren also inspires women entrepreneurs to push past their FEAR to live their best life.

Julie joined the LISC Greater Cincinnati team in June of 2022. Julie provides support for the Section 4 HUD grants, Place Matters Grants, social media and communications, and general office management. 

Julie brings nearly a decade of experience in the non-profit field, particularly working in supporting and promoting Downtown and Over-the-Rhine businesses and residents. As a lifelong Cincinnatian she has a love for the city and is dedicated to making it a better place to live, work, and play. In her free time, Julie enjoys spending time with her son and exploring what Cincinnati has to offer.