Alumni Spotlight – Kendi Heath ‘2000

“All good things come to those who wait,” says Kendi Heath of her recent career turn. “Everything seems to be coming together.”

This pause for reflection, rare for a young woman constantly in motion and fresh from an appearance on ABC’s nationally syndicated The Dr. Oz Show, is understandable.

Kendi recalls her Susquehannock years mostly for her immersion in the performing arts. She was active in school musicals, played tenor sax in the marching, concert, and jazz bands, and was a violinist in the orchestra. She also sang in select chorus.

She credits former Choral Director Dave Nicholson for encouraging her. “He was always pushing me to be my best. It was about the music at the time, but I feel that it carried over to everything I do,” she says.

After graduation, she enrolled in Penn State-York, while working in Mid-Atlantic Mortgage’s marketing department. Starting as a telemarketer, she soon moved into a supervisory role that included training, hiring, and evaluating, while developing an expertise in the mortgage and loan business. Recognizing her drive and talent, Mid-Atlantic gave her more and more responsibility and the demands of work eventually forced her to put her post-secondary education on hold.

In the midst of all this, she married Brad Baker, SHS Class of 2002, in a twist of fate she said was “meant to be.” She explains, “We went to the same school but he was two years behind me and we didn’t know each other. I met him outside of school and the rest is history.”

Kendi and Brad had their first child Braydin in 2006, followed by Maddex in 2007, and Preston three years later.

While Brad pursued his career as a safety coordinator for the national medical technology giant, Becton Dickinson, Kendi continued in real estate mortgage and loan marketing.

Her career path includes time with Accord Real Estate Settlement and JMB Global Services, with responsibilities in finance, management, marketing, leadership, and all facets of human resources.

In her whirlwind of a life that also includes becoming a hairdresser, a certified Zumba instructor, and vice-president of development for an international call center in the Philippines and Honduras, Kendi recently decided to become more grounded locally.

“I was travelling too much,” she explains, “and I felt that my family was suffering. When it came to a choice between career and family, there was no question about what I had to do.”

She now works locally at Keller Williams Realty, where she carries the title of Chief Executive Officer and is resuming her education at Liberty University in business marketing and executive media management, where she plans on earning a Bachelor’s degree.

Outside of work, she is active in range of charitable and service endeavors and is particularly active in organizing events and fundraisers. Kendi also feels passionately about the message of self-confidence she recently promoted on a segment of The Dr. Oz Show, called “One Size Does Not Fit All,” her second appearance.

She is currently in involved in organizing the Susquehannock High School Class of 2000’s 15^th reunion. Class members should contact Kendi at [email protected]  717-449-2302.

Thanks to Kendi Heath Baker, Class of 2000, for making us Warrior Proud.