Jessica Walker

Jessica Walker is President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, where she serves as the leading convener, voice, and advocate for the more than 125,000 businesses that power Manhattan—the heart of New York City's commercial life. A dynamic thought leader, she is deeply committed to advancing the prosperity of New York's residents, businesses, and communities.

A Career Defined by Economic and Community Impact

Before joining the Chamber, Ms. Walker was Vice President for Government Affairs at the Partnership for New York City, the organization representing the city's major corporate employers. There, she served as a policy analyst, writer, and strategic advisor to the Partnership's CEO, helping accelerate New York City's job recovery in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Walker was a leading advocate for older New Yorkers. At the New York Academy of Medicine, she launched Age-Friendly NYC, a public-private initiative designed to make the city more livable for seniors, shaped by their own recommendations. The Bloomberg administration adopted 59 of the initiative's policy ideas, making New York a better place for people of all ages and abilities.

Ms. Walker also served as a policy analyst at United Neighborhood Houses, the nonprofit federation of New York settlement houses, where she authored a groundbreaking report exposing the high rate of seniors aging alone without adequate support. Her research was instrumental in elevating social isolation to a national priority for the AARP Foundation.

Board Service and Recognition

Ms. Walker's commitment to community and economic development extends to her board service. She sits on the boards of the Javits Center, New York City's premier convention venue; United Neighborhood Houses, which delivers essential human services across New York; and Pursuit Lending, a community development financial institution (CDFI) that invests in local businesses.

She is also a member of the Women's Forum of New York and an appointed member of Governor Hochul's Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) for New York City, where she helps shape strategic economic planning for the region.

Her work has earned wide recognition. She has been named to several of City & State's power lists, including the Manhattan Power 100, Who's Who in MWBEs, Economic Development Trailblazers, and Black Trailblazers. In 2022, Crain's New York Business featured her among its Notable Black Leaders.

A graduate of Princeton University, Ms. Walker was born in Detroit and raised on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. She is a proud resident of Harlem.