Emphasizing that the URA is committed to equitable development and equal opportunity, she said the focus of her department is on minority firms throughout the area that are MWBE-certified through the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program, which is inclusive of all federal, state and local government entities.
Walker said the URA has a six-point MWBE program outlook; a commitment to equitable development, inclusionary MWBE participation, MWBE certification assistance, increasing opportunity awareness, business development programming and networking and resource connection.
“Increasing opportunity and awareness is a number one priority for me. Making sure that people are aware of potential opportunities so that they can be adequately prepared for them. Especially when it’s happening in their neighborhood. Partnering with agencies that offer supportive services and assuring that the URA is a champion of those efforts and connecting MWBE firms to them is key,” she said. Concerned that many minority- and women-owned firms have an inability to connect to the larger networks, Walker said her goal is to leverage her office to ensure that entrepreneurs’ social and business networks are expanded. “That’s what’s going to inherently increase opportunity.”
In the program officer position since mid-June, Walker said she has developed a six-fold focus for the MWBE program; increase outreach efforts to build more timely awareness around existing and forthcoming URA projects, release a new and improved website with the projects, enhanced bidding capability, reference guides and handbooks, place targeted emphasis on clearly demonstrating good faith efforts that provide MWBEs with equal opportunity bid on URA affiliated projects, build strong partnerships with agencies and other stakeholders dedicated to creating an inclusionary and equitable economy, host frequent workshops, seminars and business development training for MWBEs working to become certified or more competitive in the market, and create a framework to enrich the social and business networks of MWBE contractors and suppliers.
A former entrepreneur and the knowledge she has gained working with businesses at all stages of development has given Walker an awareness of sensitivity to their needs. As a result, she said business owners can expect the following from her office; a MWBE policy and best practices guide book for project owners, a regional resource guide for MWBE firms, a centralized MWBE function at the URA with office hours, a culture that promotes impact and growth—not just goals, capacity building opportunities for MWBEs, robust expectations around “good faith effort,” more outreach and project information sessions, an enhanced and user-friendly technology platform, and a program that is continually learning and improving.
A Hill District native, Walker has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and is currently working towards the completion of a Master of Science in Management and Leadership. She is a mayoral appointee to Pittsburgh’s Land Bank Board, a 2016 New Pittsburgh Courier “Fab 40 Under 40” awardee, and currently sits on the board of StartUptown.
“I am committed to advancing equitable development by ensuring minority- and women-owned firms are equipped to face the new realities of Pittsburgh’s transforming economy,” said Walker. “I am excited and ready to get to work.”
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