Harnessing the Might of Mentorship
Dennis Baker ’96 has built enduring relationships with mentors throughout his life and career — and mentored many people as well. He begins with a simple question: Who could you introduce me to that might be helpful? “It became a powerful tool for expanding my network,” he says.
In high school, Dennis adopted the verse Proverbs 15:22, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” “That simple truth resonated deeply with me,” he says. “True wisdom is often shared — passed down from others who’ve walked similar paths and willingly share their knowledge. Multiple mentors, each offering a unique perspective, ensure a more balanced and well-rounded approach to decision-making.”
He tells his story in “Building Your Board of Directors for Life” (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster, 2025, yourboard4life.com). This practical guide helps readers find mentors and become servant leaders, telling stories about the people who have advised and encouraged him.
“The book illustrates the profound impact of mentorship in achieving personal and professional growth and helps readers build a lifelong network of trusted advisers,” he says. “It’s not a transaction but building and maintaining relationships.”
As a Wisconsin college student, Dennis worked for a senator, one of his first mentors. He
transferred to Westmont for a Christian liberal arts education and to gain the skills and tools needed to defend his faith. He majored in political science and developed relationships with former Old Testament professor Ron Tappy and the late Jane Higa, vice president for student life. A Hansard Scholar at the London School of Economics, he interned with a member of Parliament, who remains a close friend and adviser.
By the age of 21, Dennis had collected six mentors whose advice he valued. “I built relationships with people at the top of their fields, who helped me develop the tools to move in any direction I wanted to go,” he says. “I focused on being a servant leader, seeking how to best serve those above and below me in life. That’s where my heart is.”
One bank CEO noted Dennis’s impact in the community, which reminded him of his sphere of influence and responsibility to make a difference. “That inspired me to focus on serving others and contributing to projects that benefit the greater good,” Dennis says. “By approaching my network with this mindset, I earned a seat at the table, built lasting relationships and qualified myself to be heard when it mattered.
After working at a public relations firm, Dennis started his own company, DM Baker Media Relations, in 2000. He provides a range of services to corporations, nonprofits and individuals: messaging, media buying, crisis management and fundraising. He manages bestselling authors and leads public relations campaigns for advocacy groups, movie projects and entertainers.
Frustrated by the difficulty of finding parking in Los Angeles, he founded Polis Assist in 2019, a mobile app that directs drivers to fee-free parking in the city. He serves as CEO and plans to add New York, San Francisco and other major areas. “It makes the urban environment better and safer for drivers seeking parking,” he says.
An adviser to many nonprofits, Dennis belongs to NEXUS, the Anti-Defamation League Glass Leadership group, and serves on the board of EPIC Impact Society and the Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking, among others. He has a special interest in human rights issues and people facing religious persecution.
“Anyone can benefit from creating a personal network to navigate life’s challenges and decisions with greater confidence,” he says. “You cultivate an informal group of mentors on your own terms — and you’re responsible for your decisions. The book also invites you to pay it forward and mentor someone. Mentorship is a reciprocal process that enriches not only your life but also the lives of those you help.”