26 . Glasgow Business October 2016
MAKE IT IN M
I
n March this year, when Jessica Walker took over as President of Manhatan Chamber of Commerce, one of her first tasks was to meet a delegation from Glasgow. “I was only a month or so into my tenure when
Richard Muir (Glasgow’s Deputy Chief Executive) came to speak with me. We really hit it off and had an excellent meeting. I was really impressed with the innovative way Glasgow has been looking at its Chamber – and the work it is doing. I decided it was the natural partnership for us.’’ Tis meeting led to a historic Memorandum of
Understanding between the two Chambers, with both sharing a goal to encourage trade between Scotland and the United States, using Glasgow and Manhatan as the conduits. While signing a MoU is a positive starting point, Walker is clear that it has to grow and develop practical substance. “Even in my short tenure here, we’ve been
inundated with trade delegations from all over the world who want to work and build here. Tey want to make a footprint in the New York area,’’ she says
in an exclusive interview for Glasgow Business. She said the discussions with Glasgow stood out
head and shoulders as a different model because it was thoughtful and designed to ensure that the relationship – from both sides – was certain to be beneficial. “It wasn’t going to be about a nice trip to New York City or over to Scotland but something that was really meaningful and productive. Tis really stood out for us.’’ While Jessica Walker has Scotish blood on her
mother’s side, she was raised in New Mexico in a Native American tradition. As a young adult, she moved east, atended university in New Jersey and found her way to New York. She worked in advocacy, laterly working with the New York City administration. “I’ve always been trying to make New York City
a beter place, so I started helping non-profit organisations. Ten I started doing advocacy for older adults. Tis helped me make the connections to the New York business community. I then started doing government affairs work on behalf
of business. It was a natural transition to come to Manhatan Chamber,’’ she explains. She set out a vision for the organisation which
feeds into her beliefs about advocacy and the importance of sustainable business. “Advocacy was a priority for me when I took over. More than this, it was about seeing the gem that the Chamber is. It has done such great work throughout the years and I said, ‘Hey, we can take this to the next level’.” Walker’s other priority is to help Manhatan
businesses get out in front – and stay there – when it comes to technological transformation. “We want to help our members understand the
changing dynamics in business right now. Te business world is changing dramatically and our members have to be more agile. We want to make sure that everybody is keeping up.’’ Tis kind of transformation is also happening in
Glasgow, which means there are issues and learning that can be shared. “Tose who do well are those who can change and be nimble,’’ she says. Te applies equally to New York and to Glasgow.
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