Canton Deputy Clerk Baker earns prestigious statewide honor
MAMC President Lisa Lawitzke (left) and Michigan’s Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie (right) present the 2026 Deputy Clerk of the Year award to Canton Township Deputy Clerk Katie Baker.
The Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) has named Canton Township Deputy Clerk Katie Baker as the organization’s 2026 Deputy Clerk of the Year.
Katherine “Katie” Baker entered public service in 2020, just weeks before one of the most demanding election cycles in modern history.
What began as a challenging introduction quickly became the foundation of her passion for the Clerk’s profession.
She immersed herself in every aspect of the office — elections administration, records management, statutory compliance, and resident services — earning the confidence of her colleagues and leadership through professionalism, adaptability, and an exceptional work ethic.
Rapid mastery of operations
Her rapid mastery of operations led to her promotion to Deputy Clerk & Elections Manager in 2022.
Baker has worked tirelessly to transform service delivery in Canton Township. She led the migration of all Clerk’s Office applications, permits, and licenses to digital platforms – reducing paper usage, improving efficiency, and expanding accessibility for residents.
She further developed Quick Reference Guides that have become essential tools for staff and election workers, ensuring consistency and “future-proofing” the Clerk’s Office for anyone to step into any role or responsibility with confidence.
‘Trusted leader’
Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist describes Baker as a “trusted leader, a mentor, and a steady presence in moments of pressure and uncertainty,” noting that “she has earned the respect of community leaders, fellow clerks, our staff, and most importantly the residents we serve.
“Our office is stronger, more professional, and more compassionate because of her leadership.”
In addition to her technical and operational achievements, Katie mentors high school students and participates in the MastHERmind program, where she introduces young women to careers in public service and municipal leadership.
Katie is an active member of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), and the Association of Wayne County Clerks.
Shaping statewide initiatives
She serves on the Wayne County Clerk Working Group and has participated in statewide initiatives, including the Proposal 2 Implementation Committee with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Her contributions have helped shape best practices adopted by the Bureau of Elections and implemented across Wayne County.
Katie earned her Bachelor of Science in English from Central Michigan University and holds both the Michigan Professional Municipal Clerk (MiPMC) and Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designations.
She is actively pursuing her Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) certification.
She makes knowledge relatable
Katie’s passion for public service and the clerking profession is best captured in her own words: “Knowledge alone is valuable. However, knowledge shared in a way that others can understand and use – that is what truly elevates performance.”
This award was presented on June 18 at the MAMC Annual Conference, held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, in Kalamazoo.
Michigan’s Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie addressed the crowd of clerks and presented the award.
