Speakers

Richard A. Baker is an experienced executive and established visionary with a reputation for capitalizing on opportunities that lie at the intersection of retail and real estate. Mr. Baker currently serves as Executive Chairman of Saks Global, the largest multi-brand luxury retailer in the world, comprising Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH and a $7 billion Gross Asset Value portfolio of real estate assets in top markets across the U.S. Mr. Baker led the highly anticipated acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group and established Saks Global. He is an owner of National Realty & Development Corporation (NRDC), one of the largest real estate development companies in the United States. Mr. Baker previously served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation (ROIC), after he converted the company into the NASDAQ-listed REIT focused on acquiring retail properties on the west coast of the United States. ROIC was acquired by Blackstone Real Estate for $4 billion in 2025. 

An active philanthropist, Mr. Baker is a strong advocate for mental health awareness. The Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation, where Mr. Baker serves as president, was founded in 2017 and has since invested more than $7.5 million towards mental health initiatives and has reached over 700,000 people through direct support programs that promote positive mental health. A proud supporter of his alma mater, Cornell University, Mr. Baker serves or has served on several councils and advisory boards at Cornell University, including: the Baker Program in Real Estate Advisory Board, the School of Hotel Administration Advisory Council, the Center for Real Estate and Finance Advisory Board and the Center for Real Estate and Finance Industry Fellows. Mr. Baker received his Bachelor of Science in hotel management from Cornell University.