Celebrated Leader, Connector and Changemaker Honored for Redefining Leadership in Advertising
PITTSBURGH – Oct. 13, 2025 – Gatesman President Shannon Baker has again been recognized among the region’s most influential marketing and communications leaders by being selected for induction into the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Pittsburgh Hall of Achievement, an honor reserved for changemakers redefining what’s possible in the advertising and marketing industries.
The Hall of Achievement, AAF Pittsburgh’s premier award, recognizes talented professionals who make a measurable impact through creativity, leadership, and a career that transcends the ordinary and serves as an inspiration. Honorees are chosen not only for outstanding career accomplishments but for their ability to elevate others and help shape the next generation of talent within Pittsburgh’s vibrant advertising community.
For Baker, connection has always been at the center of her work. “Great impact starts with great connection,” she said. “When you invest in people and their ideas, confidence and growth, you build teams that do more than deliver results. You build movements that make the work, and the industry better.”
As a recognized leader and mentor, Baker built her career on that belief. She leads with passion, strategic vision and an unwavering commitment to cultivating talent at every level.
Baker’s leadership is defined by her dedication to championing new voices and fostering a culture where mentorship isn’t optional– it’s essential.
Under her guidance, Gatesman has evolved into one of the nation’s most respected independent marketing communications agencies, celebrated for its culture of curiosity, creativity, collaboration and inclusivity. Baker has driven the agency’s growth from a regional player into a nationally recognized firm—earning a place among O’Dwyer’s Top 100 Independent PR Firms and multiple PRSA Pittsburgh Agency of the Year honors.
“Shannon is a rare leader whose influence can’t be measured on a spreadsheet,” said John Gatesman, CEO. “Her incredible passion and drive have inspired and shaped new ways of thinking, and how we collaborate and lead-not just within our walls, but across Pittsburgh’s entire marketing and communications community.”
Baker’s induction into the AAF Pittsburgh Hall of Achievement adds to an impressive roster of recent honors, including PRNEWS Person of the Year, PRSA Renaissance Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania City and State Above & Beyond Awards and Top Women in Business by American Business Journals.
Beyond her work at Gatesman, Baker continues to shape Pittsburgh’s civic and creative future. She made history as the first woman to chair the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, serves on the executive board of directors for Visit Pittsburgh as Vice-Chair, is a member of the 2026 NFL Draft Communications Committee, and serves on AAF Pittsburgh’s Board of Directors.
For more information, please visit gatesmanagency.com or keep up with #TeamGatesman on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or X.
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 AMIN Worldwide, an alliance of over 50 independent marketing agencies, and IPREX, a global communications network. Gatesman acquired Quest Fore in 2014 and Noble Communications in 2017.
###
.jpg)
