Abigail Baker

As a product of my father and grandfather in law enforcement and the military, I developed a keen interest in public/national defense, and the desire to protect citizens runs through my veins. When I entered college, my goal was to become fluent in Arabic, join the military and eventually pursue a career in federal law enforcement. However, new interests and skills emerged throughout college, leading me to graduate with a degree in People and Global Organizations. 

Since graduating from my master’s program, I’ve enjoyed a diverse career spanning many facets of leadership, human resources, culture, learning and development, and communications. Although my career took a different path, my passion for defense never waned, and after college, I started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and Muay Thai. Later, I earned two certifications in Krav Maga and began weapons training.

Life has repeatedly proven that defense thinking is the key to survival. Based on recent research, my combat training experiences, and what I like to call radical belonging theory, I’ve developed a defense thinking framework central to my programs.

Everything I teach must remain based on research-driven trauma-informed pedagogy practices. Through RECON NIGHT, I seek to bring together thought leaders from law enforcement, military, mental health and martial arts arenas to empower people, increase their sense of belonging and educate them with in-the-moment skills that help save lives.