Jessica Walker

Jessica Walker is President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is the convener, voice and advocate of the 125,000+ businesses across the borough of Manhattan, which is the heart of New York City’s economy.

Jessica is a dynamic thought leader who is passionate about empowering New York's residents, businesses and communities to thrive. At every stage of her career she has left an indelible imprint on the city that she loves.

Before joining the Chamber, Jessica was Vice President for Government Affairs at the Partnership for New York City, an organization that represents the city’s major corporate employers. She served as the chief liaison between elected officials and the city’s business leaders; and as a policy analyst, strategic advisor and writer for the organization's influential CEO. The objective was to strengthen New York City's economy by accelerating job creation in the wake of the Great Recession.

Prior to that, Jessica was a leading advocate for older New Yorkers. At the New York Academy of Medicine she oversaw the launch of Age-friendly New York City, a public-private initiative designed to make the city a better place in which to grow old based on the recommendations of seniors themselves. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg implemented 59 policy improvements based on this work, such as lengthening the time allotted for pedestrians to cross street intersections.

Jessica also served as a policy analyst at United Neighborhood Houses, the association of community centers and settlement houses throughout New York. There, she led the organization's advocacy agenda on issues relating to older adults. Jessica was the architect of a pilot project that increased utilization of geriatric mental health services by delivering them in non-clinical, community-based settings. She also authored a seminal report that exposed the high numbers of New York seniors aging alone and "at risk" of serious health and safety problems. Subsequently, the issue of social isolation became a national priority of the AARP Foundation.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of United Neighborhood Houses, an association of community centers and settlement houses that deliver community-based human services throughout New York; the 5BORO Institute, a public policy think-tank focused on New York City's future; and, Pursuit Lending, a community development financial institution (CDFI) that invests in local businesses. Jessica is also an appointed member of Governor Hochul's Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) for New York City.

In 2024, she was included on City & State's "Manhattan Power 100" and "Economic Development Trailblazers" lists. She was also among the "Notable Black Leaders" featured by Crain's New York Business in 2022.

Jessica was born in Detroit, raised on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, attended Princeton University and is now a proud resident of Harlem.