Jessica Walden

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT JESSICA WALDEN

In October 2022, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce named native Macon resident Jessica Walden as President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Through its leadership and advocacy for more than 800 members, the Chamber of Commerce encourages the growth of existing industries and businesses, while giving all proper assistance to any new firms or individuals looking to locate to Macon. The Chamber strives to support all activities believed to be beneficial to the community, and in general seeks to enhance the standard of living for Macon area citizens. Walden previously served as Business and Leadership Advisor for the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, where she connected business owners and community-based organizations with programs and services that provide education and opportunities for growth. She also supported nonprofit organizations and chambers of commerce across the State to launch leadership programming and services that address talent retention, workforce development, entrepreneurship, diversity, equity and inclusion and sustainable community transformation. She recently received certification as an Economic Development Professional (EDP) in Entrepreneur-led Economic Development from the International Economic Development Council, being the first in Georgia to hold this certification. Walden has been active with the Georgia Economic Developers Association and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. She has completed Georgia Tech’s Basic Economic Development coursework focused on innovative community development, regional economics and trends and techniques in economic development and is a graduate of Georgia’s Academy for Economic Development. She is also a graduate of Leadership Georgia (2013) and Leadership Macon (2009) and is a former trustee of Leadership Georgia (20••••19). Currently she serves as a Program Chair of Leadership Georgia\'s Class of 2023. She also sits on the boards of Montessori of Macon and serves the boards of NewTown Macon, Worksource Macon-Bibb and Hutchings Career Academy Governance Board. Jessica previously served on the boards of the Bragg Jam Festival and Otis Redding Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree with a Minor in English from Georgia State University, where she graduated Cum Laude in is also a small business co-owner of Rock Candy Tours, Macon\'s music history tour company, and co-founded The Web co-working club in Downtown Macon.