PITTSBURGH – March 25, 2025 – Gatesman’s powerhouse president, Shannon Baker, is officially Above and Beyond. Recognized by City & State Pennsylvania as a 2025 honoree, Baker joins an elite class of women who are redefining leadership, breaking barriers and making waves in their industries. 

“Shannon is the epitome of bold leadership. She’s relentless in her pursuit of excellence and her commitment to our team—and a driving force behind Gatesman’s reputation for results-driven marketing communications,” said John Gatesman, CEO of Gatesman. “Her impact goes well beyond our agency in helping shape both our industry and the city we call home.”

The Above and Beyond Awards celebrate 50 extraordinary women each year, honoring the most influential and innovative women in Pennsylvania that have demonstrated exemplary leadership in business, public service, media, nonprofit and organized labor, combined with having made significant contributions to society. Honorees will be featured in a special edition of City & State Pennsylvania and recognized at an exclusive awards gala on March 25, 2025, at the Cescaphe Ballroom in Philadelphia.

In 2025, Baker further cemented her industry legacy by being inducted into the PRSA Pittsburgh Hall of Fame – a testament to her decades of impact in the field. This accolade joins an already stacked roster of recognitions, including a Forbes feature, Top Women in Business by American Business Journals, Pittsburgh’s Most Influential Women in Business, the Smart 50 Mid-Atlantic’s Top Executives and multiple ATHENA Award nominations.

Beyond Gatesman, Baker’s leadership reaches across Pittsburgh. She made history as the first-ever chairwoman of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, sits on the executive board for VisitPittsburgh, is a member of the 2026 NFL Draft Communications Committee and is a member of the board of directors for the American Advertising Federation’s Pittsburgh chapter. 

Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, who nominated Baker for the Above and Beyond Award, praised her impact on the city: “Shannon is an unstoppable force when it comes to revitalizing and championing Downtown Pittsburgh. Her leadership and vision have brought transformative programs to life, helping our city thrive. She’s not just a leader—she’s an architect of change.”

“Shannon’s impact goes beyond business,” added Gatesman. “She’s elevating brands, championing women in leadership and proving that real change happens when bold ideas meet fearless execution.”

For more information, please visit gatesmanagency.com or keep up with #TeamGatesman on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or X, formerly Twitter.

About Gatesman:

With offices in Pittsburgh and Chicago, Gatesman offers expertise in strategy/branding, advertising, public relations, social media, digital and analytics. Gatesman is a partner in AMINWorldwide, an alliance of over 60 independent marketing agencies, and IPREX, a global communications network. Gatesman acquired Quest Fore in 2014 and Noble Communications in 2017.

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