Name: Carla D. Walker
Title: President/CEO, think BIG strategies llc
Age: 45
Neighborhood: Mt. Auburn
What do you do?
I help companies and organizations create game-changing projects or initiatives. My consultancy, think BIG strategies llc, draws on my expertise in government relations, communications and community engagement to develop and execute strategic plans for clients in those areas. Game-changers are initiatives or projects that add something new to or enhance our landscape. They can be complex, but are usually high-profile or high-energy, and are seeking to make a high-impact.
I have a background built for problem solving and strategic thinking (two science degrees, a Masters in Public Administration, nearly 100 political campaigns, I’ve staffed three different mayors, state elected officials and global advocates). My company is named after a life motto I share with my sister “think big, follow through.” Some of my current clients include The Women’s Book (a dynamic one-stop shop to find local women-owned or women-focused resources), Middfest International (the most comprehensive educationally based international event in our region) and Green Recycling Works (a new green social enterprise that provides jobs for graduates of a recovery program).
I started think BIG in June of 2010 when I left my post as Chief of Staff for Mayor Mallory. However, I had been juggling large-scale civic engagement and public service initiatives at the local, state and national level for organizations and municipalities for nearly 15 years. Before Mallory, I was in DC working for U2’s Bono and created the U.S. community engagement and advocacy network for his organizations The ONE Campaign and DATA.
In addition to my clients, I lend my expertise to a number of organizations in the community as a board member or volunteer on projects for the Cincinnati Opera (Board), Cincinnati Human Relations Commission (Vice President), 85 Broads Cincinnati (Leadership Team), Peaslee Neighborhood Center (Chair of Marketing), OTR Chamber of Commerce (Marketing Committee), Bad Girl Ventures (Advisory Board), Cincinnati USA Sister Cities Association (Honorary Board Member), Cincinnati-Nancy Sister City Association (Secretary), United Way (Co-Chair Poverty Task Force) and a member of the National Board of Directors for Sister Cities International (Executive Committee and Chair of Membership).
Why do you do it?
Quite simply, I have a passion for my hometown. I have been very fortunate to work directly with decision makers who have allowed me to be a part of change initiatives and I want to continue working in that manner.
Usually, I am asked “how do you do it,” meaning how do I juggle so many things. I have always been like this and have a naturally high capacity for multi-tasking with a great return, so I am told. The saying, “If you really want to get something done, ask a busy person” generally applies to me. Interestingly enough, at the end of Leadership Cincinnati (Class 33), I was awarded “Best Use of Multiple Data, Phone and Computer Devices at One Time” and up until that point, I had never thought about describing myself that way. Maybe I’m just wired like that.
Why Cincinnati?
That’s easy – Cincinnati is my home town. There are a lot of things happening here – even though some people might think otherwise.
What do you love about the city?
That is a pretty long list.
What are you trying to change about the city?
Often Cincinnati is described as a small city with a big city feel but I hope I can help change some of the small city thinking. I’d like to see more organizations, people, groups and communities work on game changing projects. Don’t just think outside of the box, think big and then, think even bigger.
What's next?
I want to bring the world to Cincinnati and show Cincinnati more of the world. I have a number of clients that connect me with the globally oriented organizations in the region and because of that interaction I would like to see the city be more globally conscious. I have lived in a number of other cities and although we are not a Chicago or New York, we have comparable assets that can attract international attention. When I received my degree from Harvard, my classmates and I were given little plastic globes and told to go out and make our impact on the world -- I plan to do just that, and do it from my base in Cincinnati.
Video featured in partnership with The Cincinnati Business Courier.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.