Empowering college students with education & resources to make safe decisions & access support when it matters most. UNCAGED With Shawnee Baker

Shawnee Baker is a dedicated Registered Nurse turned author, grief advocate, and founder of Baylie’s Wish Foundation. Her career in healthcare began in the NICU, where she worked across North America, including at the world-renowned Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Shawnee has experienced the highs and lows of healthcare firsthand, from saving lives in trauma units to navigating the heartbreaking grief of losing her daughter.As a mother, she knows the pain of losing a child and has vowed to honor her daughter Baylie’s memory. In keeping a promise she made to her in her final moments, she authored Baylie, a powerful story of resilience, unexpected tragedy, and the importance of change. Through this book, Shawnee sheds light on the dangers of college life and the need for better safety policies to protect students.Driven by the loss of her daughter and the desire to make a difference, she founded the Baylie’s Wish Foundation. Through the foundation, she is working to bring awareness to critical issues—80% of college students report feeling unsafe, and the majority of institutions fall short of providing the support needed. Her ultimate goal is to create lasting policy change, including Baylie’s Law, which would require mandatory healthcare proxies and waivers for HIPAA laws with college admissions.Shawnee's journey has led her to connect with countless families who’ve faced similar losses, and together, they’re advocating for a future where young adults are better protected, and parents no longer have to face the unimaginable.