Chantel Walker

Chantel Walker is a dedicated leader with over 25 years of experience in professional leadership, governance, and community engagement. A resident of San Anselmo for over a decade, Chantel is a small business owner, community volunteer, and seasoned executive, deeply committed to fostering equity, sustainability, and connection within her community. Her career spans the government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, where she has held key roles such as foundation program officer, library executive, community development leader, and housing development technical assistant provider. Chantel was also Division Head for Learning and Organizational Development in the County of Marin (Chief Learning Officer), co-authoring the County’s 5-Business Plan, redesigning staff learning strategy and leadership development programs as well as organizational redesign at the department level and designing DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) initiatives. In governance, Chantel has served as Board Chair and Governance Committee with organizations such as the Marin County Library Foundation and the Marin Promise Partnership. She excels in facilitating strategic discussions, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and developing governance structures. Her ability to liaise effectively with stakeholders, from government leaders to nonprofit boards, is complemented by her expertise in strategic communication, organizational design, and human resource management. Chantel’s dedication to public service led her to the San Anselmo Town Council in 2024, where she focuses her contributions on the town’s progress through thoughtful policy actions. Her priorities include economic vibrancy, emergency preparedness, infrastructure improvement, community connectedness, and environmentally sustainable affordable housing. Recognized for her enduring contributions, Chantel will be inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame in early 2025. She has also published and presented on social and educational equity, community collaboration, housing finance, philanthropy’s role in economic development, and employee engagement. Chantel’s leadership extends to her Marin Forum presidency, Wednesday Morning Dialogue vice presidency, and founding roles in the Marin Environmental Housing Coalition and Marin Promise Partnership. She is a champion of innovative strategies, including leveraging technology and AI for organizational transformation, and her expertise in data-driven decision-making has been a hallmark of her career. Outside of her professional endeavors, Chantel enjoys book club gatherings, hiking with friends, traveling with her children, and volunteering in community-based organizations. Her deep engagement in both governance and community life reflects her belief in creating thriving, inclusive communities built on connection and excellence.