Stacey Walker

Stacey Walker is a strategic communications leader, writer, and former elected official with a lifelong commitment to meaningful civic engagement. A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in political science. Early exposure to the history of the civil rights movement helped shape his belief in liberation politics: a vision of justice rooted in dismantling systemic oppression and building power for historically marginalized communities.

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Before entering public office, Walker helped launch the LBA Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping at-risk youth on the path to graduation. He later joined the Case Foundation in Washington, D.C., where he collaborated with AOL founder Steve Case on national entrepreneurship initiatives and other philanthropic endeavors. During this period, he served as a researcher for President Obama's Council on Jobs and Economic Competitiveness and as a teaching assistant to MBA students at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business under Ambassador J. Douglas Holladay.

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That grounding in policy, philanthropy, and civic life carried into his political work. Walker has served on campaigns at the congressional, gubernatorial, and presidential levels, including two historic races: President Obama's 2012 re-election and Senator Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential run. Prior to seeking office himself, he served as Chief of Staff at Patel Endeavors, where he led strategic communications and guided business development across a diverse portfolio spanning hospitality, private equity, and social impact.

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In 2016, Walker made history as the first African American elected to the Linn County Board of Supervisors. His tenure was defined by bold leadership and moral clarity. He championed the creation of a citizen review board in Cedar Rapids, led implicit bias training for justice system leaders, co-authored the Safe, Equitable, and Thriving Communities report to address cycles of poverty and youth gun violence, and advanced sweeping second-chance initiatives supporting the reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals. He also founded the county's Office of Sustainability, rooted in his belief that environmental stewardship and social equity are inseparable.

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Today, Walker leads Sage Strategies, a consulting firm serving political, nonprofit, and corporate clients across the country, and serves as a Senior Associate at Huron Consulting Group, where he helps colleges, universities, and health systems craft narratives that inspire philanthropic investment and lasting impact. He remains active in national movement politics, advocating for progressive change through strategic communications, nonprofit board service, and support for movement leaders worldwide. He currently serves on the boards of Partners for Justice and the Champions Global Movement for Peace.

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Stacey and his wife Lauren live in Florida with their four children, a cat named Storm, and a puppy named Nala.