CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Former Illinois Wesleyan University track and field standout and 2004 IWU graduate Gianina (Taylor) Baker was named the 2020 Central Illinois Business Magazine Woman of the Year by Central Illinois Business Magazine, Oct. 18. The award recognizes young professionals for their achievements, experience, innovation, leadership, and community involvement. 

Currently, Baker is the associate director of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment and Vice President of the Unit 4 school board. In her role with the school board, she helped pass a resolution that declares racism a public health crisis.  

"Gianina was the pioneer that put IWU women's track and field on the map," Head Track and Field Coach Chris Schumacher shared. "When I think of what she did here and what she is doing now I get the intangible feeling that comes from rewards far beyond athletics. I am so thankful to have been able to coach Gianina and the ripple effect of her presence in our program."

During her four-year reign as a Titan, Baker became one of the most decorated student-athletes in IWU history. An eight-time all-american, she was a member of the 2004 Indoor National Champion 4x400 meter Relay. That year, she also turned in a fifth-place finish in the 400 meter dash at the indoor championships. At the 2004 national meet, she claimed third in the 400 meter dash, while also helping IWU to runner-up finishes in the 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay. 

Baker, who was named the track and field team women's MVP in 2001 and 2004, graduated from Illinois Wesleyan with a degree in psychology in 2004. Following her time at IWU, Baker earned a Master of Arts degree in Human Development Counseling from Saint Louis University and a PhD in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

To view the News-Gazette's article and the full list of Central Illinois Business Magazine awardwinners, click here.