EPIC was founded on the belief that strong leadership, a clearly defined workplace culture and intentional strategy are not optional, they are essential. Organizations perform at their best when people are aligned, engaged, and equipped to lead with clarity and purpose.
At the core of EPIC is a simple belief: when people are supported, empowered, and guided by strong leadership with intentional strategy – organizations thrive. EPIC was created to help organizations move beyond surface-level solutions and into meaningful, lasting change. We partner with leaders and teams to strengthen culture, elevate performance, and create environments where people can do their best work. EPIC exists to help organizations move from good intentions to meaningful impact. By combining data, strategy, and real-world experience, we partner with leaders to strengthen alignment, elevate engagement, and create workplaces that perform at a higher level.
Tanisha Fitzgerald-Baker is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a proud alumna of Austin-East High School, where she graduated as valedictorian and was crowned Miss Austin-East. She earned a B.S. in Actuarial Science from Florida A&M University and an M.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Tanisha is also a graduate of Leadership Knoxville and the 2021 Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute, as well as the Mosaic Change Fellowship.
With over 25 years of experience in education, Tanisha has served as a teacher, instructional coach, and leader focused on advancing educational equity. She is currently the Workplace Culture and Engagement Manager for the Knoxville Utilities Board where she can align her profession with her passion of providing training, tools and strategies that empowers and equips people to thrive. She is well-respected as a strategist, analyst and community leader. In addition to her community service and professional responsibilities, Tanisha is a sought-after panelist, presenter and consultant. She remains passionate about her calling to educate and elevate others.
It is obvious that Tanisha lives by a quote from Susan Gale, “One should never be content to sit on the sidelines when there is so much work to be done in the field.” Tanisha was recognized by Knoxville, TN’s former Mayor Madeline Rogero as a nominee for the city of Knoxville’s Good Neighbor of the Year Award. She is a founding member and current president of the Five Points Up Community Action Group where she coordinates multiple community engagement events. She is a founding member of East Knox Lion’s Club, previous member of Volunteer Rotary of Knoxville, was a founding member of the Eastside Sunday Market’s steering committee to address food insecurities and the steering committee for the Community Voices Coalition. Tanisha was appointed to the City of Knoxville’s Public Arts Committee serving from 2016 through 2020. Tanisha has served on multiple boards including the YWCA, Metro Drug Coalition and the Advisory Board for CAC’s Office on Aging. She also serves as the inaugural chairperson for the African American Equity Restoration Taskforce appointed by the City of Knoxville.
Tanisha has received multiple honors and awards. She received the “Woman 2 Woman” award for the category of Community Outreach sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., was the recipient of the 2020 MLK Commission’s Award for Community Service and was featured in the 2019 edition of Girls Go Hard magazine. Tanisha was honored by the University of TN Knoxville as a Distinguished Community Lecturer. She was the recipient of both the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year award by Chi Eta Phi, Sorority, Inc and the 2023 NAACP Advocacy Champion award. leading to both Knoxville City and Knox County Mayors issuing proclamations declaring December 2nd, 2023 as Tanisha Fitzgerald-Baker Day.
She resides in Knoxville with her husband, Darritt Baker, and their son, Tylan, and remains dedicated to educating, elevating, and empowering others in her community.