Faculty and Speakers

Renée T. Walker is the president of RENEE WALKER & ASSOCIATES, a strategic communications consultancy. She honed her brand and communication expertise through executive positions with multi-million and billion-dollar brands in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. She sharpened her political acumen in leadership positions on successful local, state and national candidate campaigns, and multi-million and billion-dollar ballot initiatives.

Renée has counseled c-suite executives and elected officials on advocacy, communication, community and stakeholder engagement, and directed proactive and crisis communication strategies for controversial initiatives, fund development campaigns, constituent, media and government relations programs. She also has advised executive and senior management on public policy issues, analyzed state legislation and regulations, and directed legislative and advocacy strategy. She is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.

In 2012, Renée served as a key strategist on the successful ballot initiative to Repeal Public Act 4, Michigan’s Emergency Manager law. Of the four labor-packed initiatives on the ballot, this initiative was the sole labor victory. With an estimated $152 million spent on the ballot initiatives, the Repeal of Public Act 4 expended $1.5 million to achieve its victory.

In her previous advocacy-related positions, Renée served as a government relations manager at Kelly Services, the political director for the Clinton/Gore ’96 Michigan General Election campaign, and as a senior adviser to Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer.