# Willy Walker

> Willy Walker is the Denver-based chairman and chief executive officer of Walker & Dunlop, a commercial real estate finance and advisory firm. A third-generation family leader who joined in 2003 and became CEO in 2007, he led its 2010 public listing and expansion through acquisitions. He also created and hosts the Walker Webcast, which reached its 300th episode in October 2026.

- **Role:** Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Walker & Dunlop
- **Organizations:** Walker & Dunlop, Walker Webcast, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors, Real Estate Roundtable
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, St. Lawrence University, Master of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, 2011., Commercial Property Executive Financier of the Year, 2017 and 2020., Denver Business Journal Most Admired CEO recognition, 2024.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2003** — Worked at Morgan Stanley and in private equity; ran Argentine regional airline ALTA and led Latin American and European operations at TeleTech.
- **2003** — Joined Walker & Dunlop as chief operating officer in September.
- **2005** — Became president.
- **2007** — Became chief executive officer in January.
- **2010** — Became chairman; led Walker & Dunlop through its December NYSE initial public offering.
- **2012** — Walker & Dunlop acquired CWCapital.
- **2020** — Launched Walker Webcast.
- **2021** — Walker & Dunlop acquired Alliant Capital and Zelman & Associates.
- **2022** — Walker & Dunlop acquired GeoPhy on February 28.
- **2026** — Walker Webcast reached its 300th episode on October 14, with Evan Osnos interviewing Walker.

## Achievements

- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, 2011.
- Commercial Property Executive Financier of the Year, 2017 and 2020.
- Denver Business Journal Most Admired CEO recognition, 2024.
- Led the family firm through its 2010 public listing and subsequent expansion.
- Created and hosts Walker Webcast.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Evan Osnos interviewed him for the Walker Webcast’s 300th episode, released October 14.
- **2026-10** — An October 21 company recap discussed his reflections on risk, missed opportunities, family and interview preparation.
- **2026-01** — Appeared on Brandon Sedloff’s The Distribution to discuss his career and the evolution of Walker & Dunlop.
- **2025-11** — Interviewed his father, former chairman and CEO Mallory Walker, at the UVA Real Estate Conference; webcast published November 19.

## Links

- Website: https://www.walkerdunlop.com/about/people/willy-walker
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willy-walker/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/walkerdunlop/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WalkerDunlop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkerdunlop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkerDunlop/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/willy-walker
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23