— About Jackie
The Connector.
The Strategist.
The Advocate.
I bring relationships, strategy, and the hands-on execution need to drive measurable
results, helping businesses across Upstate NY and the I-90 corridor access capital,
navigate government programs, and position themselves for long-term success.
— Who I am
A Trusted Voice in Upstate New York
I’m a business development consultant and financial advisory specialist, but my real credential is three decades of relationships built across Upstate New York.
I studied civil engineering at Clarkson University and spent time working on projects in Boston and London before finding my way into community and economic development. That engineering mindset never left me. I approach financial systems and business partnerships the same way I approached projects: with discipline, clear metrics, and a commitment to building things that last.
After seven years leading the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, where I grew membership by 81%, managed complete organizational finances, built a recurring sponsorship model, and helped secure a $10M DRI grant, I led planning and operations for a boutique recruiting firm.
I founded Jackie Walters Consulting LLC to deliver hands-on financial advisory, business planning, and capital readiness support to business owners across the region. Today, I help local firms and organizations show up in the right rooms, establish vital banking and capital foundations, and turn market presence into measurable growth.
— how I work
Guiding Principles That Drive Every Engagement
Relationships Before Transactions
Every meaningful outcome starts with a genuine human connection. Whether working with a small business owner navigating financial systems for the first time or aligning regional institutional partners, I invest time to understand the people behind the organizations, their goals, their pressures, and what success actually looks like for them.
Strategy With Staying Power
I don’t hand you a playbook and walk away. I develop strategies tailored to your organization, your market, and where you want to go. From establishing banking infrastructure to securing funding and then I stay in it with you. The follow-through is where most efforts fall apart. That’s exactly where I show up.
Visibility With Purpose
Being in the room only matters if you’re there for the right reasons. I help small businesses, SEDI firms, and growing organizations show up intentionally, at the right tables, with the right partners, and in front of the right capital sources so that your presence builds real relationships, not just name recognition.
Community is the Long Game
I’ve built my career here because I believe in this region. When you work with me, you’re not just hiring a consultant, you’re tapping into an ecosystem built on decades of trust. I help you find your place in the Upstate NY and Mohawk Valley landscape in a way that earns goodwill, opens doors, and builds value that lasts.
— My story
Rooted Here. Built Here. Invested Here.
I’m the daughter of Hmong refugees who fled Laos after the Vietnam War. My family crossed the Mekong River into Thailand and lived in a refugee camp until Park Central Presbyterian Church and Catholic Charities sponsored our resettlement in Syracuse, NY. I grew up here, graduated from Liverpool High School, and though I spent nearly 20 years living and working across the U.S. and abroad, Upstate New York is where I chose to return and lay down deep roots.
My parents arrived with nothing and built everything through hard work, community, and trust. They went on to sponsor other Hmong families, cultivating a tight-knit, supportive community across the Syracuse area. That upbringing shaped every aspect of how I operate today: the relentless work ethic, the deep investment in relationships, and the firm belief that showing up consistently is what earns trust over time.
Ultimately, I found my professional calling in the exact kind of community-centered work my parents modeled, building organizations, connecting people, and helping the region that raised me grow stronger
— community & Civic engagement
Embedded in the Upstate NY Ecosystem
My work extends well beyond my client engagements. I’m an active contributor to the Central NY and Mohawk Valley communities through civic leadership, board governance, and ongoing advocacy for inclusive regional growth.
Clinton Kirkland Improvement Corporation — Founding Board Member/Former VP
Co-founded the organization and served as Vice President before transitioning in July 2026 into a strategic consulting role. Driven major community investments, including co-authoring the successful $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award and administering local grant programs.
Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (UMEA) — Board Member
Advance economic equity and capital access for minority-owned enterprises across the Upstate New York region, advocating for vendor readiness and inclusion in regional supply chains.
Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce & Munson — Board Member
Support regional business growth, economic development, and cultural advancement across the Mohawk Valley corridor.
CenterState CEO — Ambassador
Represent CNY’s premier economic development and business advocacy organization, connecting regional growth initiatives with local entrepreneurs and community stakeholders.
Academic & Institutional Leadership
Bridge campus and community priorities on Hamilton College’s Town-Gown Committee, while fostering regional STEM and professional pipelines as Co-President of Clarkson University’s Mohawk Valley Alumni Chapter and member of the Clarkson Alumni Leadership Board.
The Country Pantry & The Center — Community Advocate & Operations Volunteer
Provide hands-on volunteer coordination, food distribution logistics, and client outreach supporting local food access and refugee integration services for hundreds of families across Greater Utica.
“For over a decade, Jackie has been a vital partner to The Country Pantry. A true community connector, she doesn’t just offer advice; she builds strategic partnerships. She is a trusted sounding board who knows how to connect the right people to the right cause and is an invaluable asset to this region.”
— mary zimbler, coordinator, the country pantry
ready to work together?
Let’s Start a Conversation
Whether you’re ready to engage or just exploring your options, I welcome the conversation. No pressure — just a genuine exchange about where you want to go and how I can help.