The Honorable Odette Wilhelmina Bakker

About Consul Bakker

Honorary Consul
US DEPT. OF STATE: 2020

Consul Bakker has lived in Phoenix since 2003. Before emigrating to the USA, she finished Amsterdam Law School and started working for the Dutch Federal Government. As a Public Policy Adviser with the Department of Homeland Security & Interior Affairs (in Dutch BZK), she rotated several positions.

Once in the USA, she worked for the Valley of Sun YMCA. As an Operations Director she successfully managed the YMCA’s Corporate Wellness portfolio, getting intimately acquainted with the local business landscape.

In 2016 she made the step back to public service and was hired by the City of Phoenix, as a Management Analyst I for the Neighborhood Services Department. In 2018 she transitioned to a Management Analyst II for the Planning and Development Department. In 2022 she promoted to the Community and Economic Development Department as an Economic Development Manager.

Odette has two teenage children, is an avid Team Handball player, loves good food and serving the community in various capacities. She currently co-chairs Arizona Forward’s Healthy Communities and Sustainable Growth Committee. Since Summer 2020 she was appointed as the new Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Arizona.