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San Jose names Jen Baker director of economic development and cultural affairs
Summary
City Manager Jennifer McGuire introduced Jen Baker as the new director of the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs; McGuire said the office has 61 FTEs and an approximate $67 million operating budget. Baker highlighted collaboration, industry attraction and downtown activation.
The San Jose City Council on Aug. 19 heard an introductory report from City Manager Jennifer McGuire naming Jen Baker as the city's new director of the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA). McGuire said Baker began the position the prior day and will oversee about 61 full-time-equivalent employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $67,000,000.
"Jen will oversee the office of economic and development team of 61 full time equivalent talented employees with an annual operating budget of approximately 67,000,000," McGuire said. The manager described Baker's background in trade policy, federal and regional economic development and recent leadership of an economic development council in Vancouver, Washington.
Baker said she was "humbled" and focused on collaboration across districts and industry lines, and she highlighted recent announcements about transmission capacity and upcoming sports and entertainment opportunities tied to downtown activations in 2026. "The communities that are getting it right are the ones that are proactively working together across districts and industry lines," Baker said in brief remarks.
Council members welcomed Baker and thanked interim leadership for covering the office during recruitment. No formal action was required; the comments functioned as an introduction and orientation to the council.
