Gwen Baggs Ito

Gwen Baggs Ito, who joined the team in 2023, is proud to work for an organization that fights for the human right to live a healthy life. In her role as storytelling and advocacy content specialist, she shares how the Health Foundation collaborates with diverse grantee partners to influence systemic change throughout western and central New York.

An experienced writer and editor, Gwen has worked for notable western New York organizations, including Buffalo Seminary, Canisius University, Crowley Webb, and Anthology (formerly Campus Labs). She has written feature articles for two regional magazines, Buffalo Spree and Western New York Heritage, and has also volunteered her copywriting services for Buffalo Prep, a nonprofit focused on education access and equity. She currently serves on the marketing committee for Just Buffalo Literary Center.

Gwen received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University at Buffalo. After living and working in Chicago, she moved to Japan in 1995. In 1997, she returned home to Buffalo, NY.

When not writing copy, she enjoys relaxing with her cats, reading about history, working out at the JCC, and going on travel adventures with her daughter. A favorite, nearly annual destination is Antigua in the Lesser Antilles.