Shalanda H. Baker is the University of Michigan’s first vice provost for sustainability and climate action. She joined the university after serving as the Director of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity at the U.S. Department of Energy. Prior to her appointment, she was a Professor of Law, Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University. She was the co-founder and co-director of the Initiative for Energy Justice, which provides technical law and policy support to communities on the front lines of climate change. Baker served as an Air Force officer prior to her honorable discharge pursuant to the then existing “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, and became a vocal advocate for repeal of the policy. She earned a BS in Political Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a JD from Northeastern University, and an LLM from the University of Wisconsin.