our team
We are a team of researchers and scholars trying to emitigate targeted violence.
SUSAN BAIDA
Executive Director
Susan Baida is the Executive Director of the Center for Applied Research on Targeted Violence (CARVt). She provides strategic direction, in collaboration with CARVt’s Co-Directors, to build the capacity of the center to nurture innovative applied research in understanding and mitigating targeted violence stemming from group hatred. She builds upon CMU and Pitt’s current research strengths and fosters growth in areas such as faculty and student involvement, educational offerings, external partnerships and philanthropic engagement.
She brings over 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship, global marketing, community engagement and fundraising. Prior to her current role, Baida served as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UPMC, Pennsylvania’s largest healthcare system, and co-founded a healthcare technology venture. During the first half of her career, she held executive positions at Fortune 500 companies, including Avon, Estée Lauder, and Starwood Hotels. Baida holds a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University and has completed executive leadership training at Vassar College.
She serves on the board of Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, La Promesa Foundation, and Instituto Cimarron. She is co-leading a new organization of Latinas in western Pennsylvania to help mobilize the Latine vote.