Community Highlights: Meet Dennis Baker of DM Baker Media Relations & Polis Assist

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Baker.

Hi Dennis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career has really been shaped by a combination of curiosity, relationships, and a desire to solve meaningful problems. Early on, I became fascinated by the intersection of communication, leadership, and influence — how ideas, storytelling, and strategic messaging can shape organizations, communities, and even public policy. After graduating from Westmont College and studying as a Hansard Scholar at the London School of Economics, I had opportunities to work in the U.S. Senate, the British House of Commons, FOX TV, and in media and public affairs. Those experiences exposed me to high-level leadership, advocacy, and communications strategy at an early age and gave me a global perspective on how organizations grow, adapt, and lead during both opportunity and crisis.

Over time, I founded DM Baker Media, where I’ve had the privilege of consulting with corporations, nonprofits, authors, entertainers, and advocacy organizations on everything from fundraising and media strategy to crisis communications and organizational development. A major part of my work has involved helping nonprofits and mission-driven organizations raise millions of dollars and communicate their vision effectively to donors, stakeholders, and the public. Along the way, I’ve also managed public relations campaigns for bestselling authors, film projects, and social impact initiatives focused on human rights, education, and community engagement.

At the same time, I’ve always been drawn to innovation and entrepreneurship. That led me to found Polis Assist, Inc., a technology startup focused on solving urban parking and mobility challenges through a mobile app platform. The company gained recognition from LA Weekly and several innovation programs, which reinforced my belief that technology should ultimately improve quality of life and create more solutions for everyday people.

More recently, my focus has expanded into leadership and mentorship through my book, Building Your Board of Directors for Life, published by Post Hill Press. The book is deeply personal because it reflects lessons I’ve learned throughout my career about the importance of surrounding yourself with trusted advisors, mentors, and people who challenge and support your growth. Looking back, much of my own journey has been shaped by mentors and relationships that opened doors, expanded my thinking, and helped guide major decisions. Today, whether through business, nonprofit work, technology, or writing, my goal is really the same: helping people and organizations grow, communicate effectively, and create a servant leadership approach.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many entrepreneurs and small business owners, my journey has included a number of significant challenges and setbacks. The housing crisis and economic downturn of 2009–2010 were especially difficult periods for anyone working in consulting, media, or business development. Many organizations dramatically reduced spending, projects disappeared overnight, and businesses had to become extremely lean and adaptable just to survive. Those years taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of staying mission-focused even during uncertainty.

More recently, COVID presented another major turning point. We had launched Polis Assist, Inc. shortly before the pandemic, and like many startups tied to urban mobility and city life, the sudden shutdowns created enormous uncertainty. With fewer people traveling, commuting, or parking in cities, we ultimately decided to place the company on hold during that period. What followed was several years of reflection, research, and difficult conversations about whether the company still had a viable future in a dramatically changed world. In many ways, revisiting the business felt like starting from scratch all over again.

That process required a great deal of soul-searching, market analysis, and honest evaluation. But through that journey, we came to believe even more strongly in the long-term need for smarter urban mobility solutions and technology that helps everyday people navigate increasingly complex cities. Picking Polis Assist back up again was not simply a business decision — it was a decision rooted in perseverance, adaptability, and a belief that meaningful innovation often requires endurance through difficult seasons. Those experiences have ultimately shaped how I approach leadership, entrepreneurship, and mentorship today.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Polis Assist is a technology company focused on simplifying urban parking and mobility challenges. Founded by Dennis Baker, the platform was created to help drivers more easily locate fee-free and lower-cost parking while navigating the increasingly complex parking regulations found in major cities like Los Angeles, with expansion plans for cities such as New York and San Francisco. The company combines technology, mapping, and data analysis to make parking more transparent and accessible, particularly for everyday commuters and working families disproportionately impacted by parking fines and urban transportation inefficiencies. Polis Assist has been recognized as the #2 mobile app by LA Weekly and was selected as a finalist in both the Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong L.A. Innovation Awards and the Leading Cities Accelicity startup accelerator program. We are most proud of digitizing and democratizing all the street data in LA and making it available to its citizens so that they can make better, more informed choices about parking. Something that involved surveying over 500,000 blocks of L.A. and collecting the data manually. We did that and we did it for less money then you would believe.

DM Baker Media is a strategic advisory, communications, public affairs, and development consulting firm specializing in media messaging, public relations, fundraising, and organizational strategy. Led by Dennis Baker, the firm has worked with corporations, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, authors, entertainers, and mission-driven initiatives on projects ranging from crisis communications and brand positioning to donor development and public awareness campaigns. Over the years, DM Baker Media has helped organizations raise millions of dollars in philanthropic and public support while also managing media campaigns for bestselling authors, film projects, and high-profile social impact causes. The firm’s approach blends storytelling, strategic communications, and relationship-building to help clients strengthen visibility, influence, and long-term organizational growth.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Los Angeles is the incredible combination of creativity, diversity, and energy that the city offers. There’s a sense that almost anything is possible there — whether in entertainment, technology, entrepreneurship, food, or the arts. The city attracts ambitious and creative people from all over the world, and that creates a unique atmosphere where innovation and culture constantly intersect. I also genuinely appreciate the weather and lifestyle. Being able to move from the beach to the mountains to the heart of the city all within a short drive is something that makes Los Angeles unlike almost anywhere else.

One of my favorite places in the city is Griffith Observatory. There’s something timeless and inspiring about standing there overlooking the city, especially at night when all of Los Angeles lights up beneath you. It captures both the scale and possibility of the city. I’ve also always loved the Santa Monica area — particularly the blend of ocean views, walkability, creative culture, and relaxed coastal energy. The beach paths, cafés, sunsets, and mix of artists, entrepreneurs, and travelers give the area a uniquely vibrant but approachable feel.

Beyond those locations, I enjoy many of the iconic and culturally rich parts of Los Angeles. Areas like Malibu for its scenic coastline, Beverly Hills for its classic Hollywood elegance, and Downtown Los Angeles for its evolving arts and culinary scene each showcase different sides of the city’s personality. I also think Los Angeles has one of the best food cultures in the world — from high-end dining to authentic neighborhood restaurants and food trucks representing cultures from virtually every corner of the globe. For me, Los Angeles is a city that combines inspiration, opportunity, and lifestyle in a way that few places can. What I like least is the bad management, the homelssness, the condition of some neighborhoods. I think this is fixable, but the most recent administrations have not fixed it. I look at a city like Tokyo with approx. 35 million people and am in awe at how clean it is and it reminds me that we can have that too!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dmbaker.com www.polisassist.com www.yourboard4life.com
• Instagram: @dmbaker.com @ polisassist @yourboard4life