Welcome Michael Baldwin!

We are incredibly excited to introduce you to our new Director of Learning and Curriculum Michael Baldwin. We invited Michael to introduce himself.

First  things first: yes, I'm from West Philadelphia. And yes, if you're now mentally  singing "In West Philadelphia, born and raised..." you are not  alone. I have heard it my entire life, and honestly, it never gets old. While  my career has been rooted in workforce development, adult learning, community  engagement, and leadership development, some people are surprised to learn that  my story actually starts with a pretty deep connection to agriculture.

Growing up, I was an active member of both FFA and 4-H, showed sheep at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, and even judged cattle at the state level. Those experiences taught me some of my earliest lessons about leadership, responsibility, and the value of hard work. Looking back, I can see how those lessons have followed me throughout my career, from helping individuals navigate career pathways to designing learning experiences that help leaders grow and thrive.

On the personal side, life has been especially exciting lately. I married my incredible wife in November 2025, and together we are raising what I firmly believe are the two greatest pups ever to walk the planet. I realize my journey has taken a few unexpected turns, from farm shows in Pennsylvania to leadership work here in Washington, but that is exactly what makes this next chapter so meaningful.

I am grateful to be part of the Leadership Eastside community and excited to learn alongside all of you as we explore what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and impact. I look forward to hearing your stories, sharing a few of my own, and working together to help strengthen the leadership practices that make our communities and our state such a special place to call home. I am thrilled to be on this journey with you all. Let's make it a great one.