NEXT LEVEL Founders
Jennifer I. Baker
Author, Consultant, & Publisher
Jennifer I. Baker is passionate about managing projects that educate and elevate economic development for BIOPC people. With an MBA in Nonprofit Management and a MA in Technical Communication, she is the CEO of Powerful Women Reign, LLC, an educational and social online website for black women entrepreneurs, and Senior Research Associate & Project Manager for the Division of Experiential Learning and Interdisciplinary Studies at Morehouse College.
She is skilled at solving business problems by analyzing situations and creating systems for improved outcomes to obtain business objectives. Over her career, she has procured funds for organizations, causes, and events and instituted policies, procedures, and systems that streamline processes and increase cash flow. She has also structured business and strategic plans, assessed and reorganized employment procedures, built teams and departments from the ground up, and created business communication, technical documentation, and marketing content.
Ms. Baker’s education and skills prepared her well for 30 years of entrepreneurial, marketing, and nonprofit management experience. She has held executive-level roles in arts and education organizations and focused on entrepreneurial pursuits in the arts, digital publishing, and education. In every role and volunteer opportunity, she has had the chance to shape the economic future of marginalized and vulnerable communities using education. Ms. Baker is passionate about helping women of color achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
Jennifer lives in the Atlanta Metro Area and is the proud single mother of Noah, a millennial carving his own entrepreneurial path. For guidance, help, and support launching or growing your business, visit Jennifer on social media @pwreign, website, or LinkedIn.
Shawn Patterson
Author & Consultant
Shawn Patterson life’s-work is rooted in her love for God and people. She has been dedicated to elevating, educating, and empowering people in both the church and the community. With that spirit, she has served alongside her husband, Dr. Michael Patterson, as a Women’s-Ministry-Leader in dynamic, diverse, and growing ministries –both in New York and metro-Atlanta. Shawn currently serves as one of the women’s ministry leaders at the Path Church in Atlanta, GA; and, is dedicated to supporting marriages and families as a lay counselor.
Shawn has carried her vision, heart, and passion into entrepreneurship and is the co-founder of M&S Patterson Life Consulting; which, provides culturally relevant resources and solutions such as “Parenting-on-Purpose,” in-school or online-parenting-workshops that increase parent-engagement. She is also the co-founder of “Be a Peacemaker,” a nonprofit company designed to promote racial reconciliation by educating companies, churches, and schools, regarding the historical facts of the African American experience in America.
One of Shawn’s greatest joys in life is to energize and empower others through speaking and writing. She is a Christian Motivational Speaker who loves to call and equip others to surpass their goals and dreams. Shawn is this year’s chair for the NEXT LEVEL Annual Women’s Empowerment Conference. As an advocate of women and girls, Shawn is also a Behavior Specialist for teenage girls in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Determined to heal and inspire women’s souls, Shawn has appeared on television and radio to discuss her book Women Who Dare to Dream. She has been featured in several media outlets such as Atlanta Alive WATC, WAOK/V103 for the Women’s World Wednesday spotlight, ikrave radio, and Good Deeds Radio Show.
Shawn has been married to Michael for 30 years, and they have a daughter Alexis and a son Joseph. They reside in Atlanta, GA. You can reach Shawn at M&S Patterson Life Consulting or Women Who Dare to Dream.
Christina Maldanado
Lifestyle & Fitness Coach
Christina Maldonado founded FitMom ATL, LLC with a passion for helping women invest in their wellbeing by devoting the necessary time and energy to live their best life. As a mother of two, she understands the strain that everyday responsibilities can have on personal health and fitness.
Christina's battle with post-birth weight gain led her to make the necessary changes that have produced sustained results. Along the way, she became a certified instructor in Health & Fitness with FITOUR and developed programs that could help others. Christina brings a joyful and upbeat attitude in her quest to help women develop healthy yet realistic lifestyles. In addition to speaking at events and facilitating corporate fitness experiences, Christina offers online fitness challenges and classes.
She and her husband of 15 years have a passion for serving in God's church and have been in full-time ministry for over a decade. They reside south of Atlanta with their two daughters Layla and Aria.
For more information and tips for healthy living, visit Christina on social media @fitmomatl, website, or LinkedIn.
