Susan Baida has been named the first executive director of the Collaboratory Against Hate

Susan Baida has been named the inaugural executive director of the Collaboratory Against Hate, a research and action partnership between the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. 

“The timing could not be more critical to focus on mitigating hate and its violent consequences. According to FBI data, hate crimes in the U.S. have risen 32% cumulatively from 2016 to 2020. Between Pitt and CMU, the Collaboratory Against Hate is at the forefront of technology, policy and education expertise — the focal points of our work,” said Baida.

In her new role, she will facilitate partnerships with technology companies, foundations, government and nonprofits to research how hate radicalizes through social platforms and design intervention tools.

“Integral to this, we also want to engage the victims of hate violence, their families, marginalized communities and advocacy groups to help inform the work,” Baida said.

Before her appointment to the collaboratory, she served as UPMC’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion and co-founded a technology venture, eCareDiary. Throughout her more than 30-year career, Baida held executive roles with Fortune 500 companies, including Avon, the Estée Lauder Companies and Starwood Hotels.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Emory University and completed executive leadership training and certifications in Diversity Leadership and Strategic Human Resources Business Partnership at Vassar College.

— Photo courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University