Mentor
Doug Baker
Overview
Doug Baker currently serves as an Independent Director of Target Corporation, having previously held the role of Lead Independent Director from 2015 to 2021. He brings deep expertise in large-scale business transformation, corporate governance, and mission-driven strategy. This follows a distinguished 33-year career at Ecolab, culminating in his roles as CEO (2004-2020) and Executive Chair (2020–2022), during which he led a near fourfold increase in revenue - from approximately $3.6bn to $14bn — and steered the company toward global water stewardship, hygiene innovation, and infection prevention. He is also on the boards of Merck & Co. and the Mayo Clinic.
Doug’s journey at Ecolab began in 1989, when he joined from Procter & Gamble and quickly advanced through leadership roles in marketing and operations across North America and Europe. As President & COO (2002-2004), he built a foundation of discipline and strategic clarity before taking the helm as CEO. Under his leadership, Ecolab executed targeted, high-impact acquisitions, embedded digital and sustainability-led innovation, and earned accolades such as the 2018 Deming Cup for Operational Excellence.
Post-Ecolab, he founded E2SG Partners (2022), an investment firm focused on environmentally sustainable growth. His current board and trustee positions – at Target, Merck & Co., the Mayo Clinic, the College of the Holy Cross, and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation – reflect a continuing commitment to value-based governance and long-term institutional impact.
He brings deep cross-sector expertise in:
• Water, hygiene & health services – scaling global solutions for sanitation, infection control, and resource efficiency
• Operational excellence & M&A – delivering performance improvements, rapid integration, and commercial growth
• Board leadership & strategic oversight – leading boards of public companies and institutions on strategy, risk and stakeholder trust
• Sustainable investment & ESG leadership – fusing purpose-led investment with operational and governance impact
A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and former P&G marketer, Doug is respected for combining business discipline with environmental and social purpose. His career demonstrates how strategic leadership, institutional growth, and mission driven governance can reshape a global enterprise with a positive impact.
PDF Profile
Download PDFMajor Career Roles
Ecolab Inc.
Chair/CEO
Target Corp.
Lead Independent Director
Merck & Co. Inc.
Independent Director
Mayo Clinic
Board of Trustees
E2SG Partners
Co-Founder
Other Career Highlights
US Bancorp
Independent Director
Procter & Gamble Co.
Various roles
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