HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- New England native, Carrie Baker, recently joined the Hanscom team as the new Equal Opportunity director and Alternative Dispute Resolution manager. Baker, who is originally from Connecticut, completed her studies at Central Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University, and graduated with a Masters of Social Work Degree.

She has worked for more than 10 years in the Air Force environment, including spending time on active duty and in the Air Force reserves and as a civilian member on the Equal Opportunity team at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.

"I wanted to enter the helping profession to make a positive difference in the lives of others," said Baker. "Working as an EO professional reinforces that philosophy in helping to make the world a better place."

Entering into an already well-established program with three military members, Baker is excited to join the team and hit the ground running. She explained how impressed she was with her team and their recent successes and says they are well respected across the base and also within "Big Air Force."

Baker says she felt going into the EO career field was a good segue in her career of helping others and was excited when she started working here July 1.

"It's the same concept of making a difference as this is a legally mandated program where we have the ability in an organization to raise awareness and reinforce the values that our senior leadership wants us to practice, such as mutual respect and understanding towards each other; as well as zero tolerance for disparate treatment regardless of age, gender, race, color, religion, national origin, disability and sexual orientation."

A couple of Baker's goals are to start producing a newsletter in the next fiscal year and to partner more with the local community.

"I think we have a great reputation here, but I feel that there are always positives and dividends when you partner up with your local community," Baker said. "I believe we have the ability to impact each other's effectiveness and efficiency."

Baker hopes the Hanscom community will see EO as an ally that they can feel comfortable and safe to utilize for assistance regardless of what the concern or subject is. She went on to explain that she wants EO to be seen as an inclusive program in which it represents the interest of everyone and not just one particular segment of the base populous.

She also realizes there will be challenges that come along with the job, but hopes she can make a positive impact on the program and the base.

"I think one of the challenges I see happening is just managing the increased demands of mission requirements," said Baker. "Another challenge would be finding creative ways to help raise awareness of people with disabilities to include myth-busting. This population is an important market base that is underutilized because of attitudes; however they possess great working attributes such as less turnover, less absenteeism and higher productivity.

Baker went on to say that another challenge she anticipates is to help broaden the views of diversity.

"As we are increasingly becoming a globalized society, our workplace should reflect the changing cultural and demographic dimensions," she said. "To stay competitive and successful we should value how diversity can enhance meeting the mission versus minimize its significance."

When looking to the future, Baker is prepared and committed to take on the challenges that lay ahead for her and her team.

"Equal Opportunity means to me all personnel should have equal opportunity to benefits and to access advancement prospects," she said. "I am honored and humbled to be a part of the Hanscom team and believe if I can make a positive difference in our community, then it's been a job well done."