Philip Baker (BSc [Chemical Engineering], Queen's University, 1984; MBA, Queen's University, 1986) began his career with the public service in 1990. He held positions at Environment Canada (International Affairs) and the Privy Council Office prior to joining the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 2000. He was director of the Environment Division, Policy Branch; director general of the Strategic Planning and Policy Division, Asia Branch; and then director general of the Afghanistan Program, Asia Branch (including India, Nepal and Sri Lanka). In 2007, Mr. Baker became the decentralized country director for CIDA's Mozambique Program. In 2008, he was appointed high commissioner in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), with residence in Maputo. In 2010 he started his new role as CIDA's regional director general for Southern and Eastern Africa, where he led a major ramp-up of sustainable economic growth, natural resources and development work for Canada. In 2014, he integrated the three streams of trade, diplomacy and development as director general, Southern and Eastern Africa Bureau, in the newly amalgamated Africa Branch of Global Affairs Canada. In August 2015, Mr. Baker was appointed ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and permanent representative to the African Union.