Christine Walker, MPPA

Christine Walker brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her presentations. Blending humor, candor and warmth, Walker shares how anyone can be the change they want to see.

Whether the audience is a sitting in a conference room, or in an arena, Walker shares the top tips for effective advocacy for an issue, a campaign or international concern.

A native of Chicago, Walker started working in politics & government at a young age, beginning with an internship in the state senate as a high school senior. After graduating from Lake Forest College with a degree in Politics, Walker worked for elected and appointed officials in Illinois and Washington, D.C.

Switching to the private sector, Walker was part of Tiffany & Co.'s Corporate Sales organization. Awarded Rookie of the Year and two consecutive Winner's Circles, Walker enjoyed serving in both sales executive and management roles. Among the many rewarding clients Walker worked with were the Green Bay Packers, Eli Lilly, McDonald's, S.C. Johnson and Abbott Labs.

Following the birth of her second child, Walker traded in her Admiral's Club membership for a double stroller. Soon after, Walker found herself navigating the uncharted waters of having a child with special needs. Encountering obstacles to her son's care, Walker returned to her public policy roots and became a legislative advocate for mental health & special education.

Walker received a Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, with a specialization in legislative advocacy.

In 2013, Walker founded the Chasing Hope Foundation to support families like hers that were raising children with autism and related brain disorders.

Walker returned to Lake Forest College as an adjunct professor of Politics, in 2017 teaching public policy, American government, Legal Studies, Congress and Disabilities in the Classroom. In 2022, Walker helped create a Public Policy Studies offering at the College, including a signature program, the annual Public Policy Analysis Challenge.