Jen Walker Named Chamber ALX’s 2026 Business Leader of the Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Jen Walker, the longtime Del Ray real estate professional whose name has become closely associated with neighborhood events, volunteerism and generous community support, has been named The Chamber ALX’s 2026 Business Leader of the Year.

Walker, leader of the Jen Walker Team at Corcoran McEnearney, will be honored at the Chamber’s 2026 Best in Business Awards, presented by Burke & Herbert Bank, on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The Chamber announced the recognition Wednesday, citing Walker’s more than 25 years in real estate, her advocacy for clients and her decades of involvement in Alexandria. A Del Ray resident for more than 30 years, Walker has built a career in real estate while making community connection central to her work.

Her public-facing motto, “Spread Kindness, Build Community,” has long been more than a slogan.

A Familiar Force Behind Del Ray Traditions

Walker has been a Realtor since 1999 and has led the Jen Walker Team at Corcoran McEnearney for more than two decades. But many Alexandrians know her just as readily from the neighborhood events and causes she supports.

She founded and sponsors Cinema Del Ray, the free outdoor movie series that has brought families to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields for summer and fall movie nights since 2005. She has also supported Del Ray traditions including Art on the Avenue, First Thursday, the Turkey Trot and the Halloween Parade, among many others.

Living Legends of Alexandria, which inducted Walker in 2017, notes her involvement with organizations and initiatives including the Del Ray Business Association, Alexandria YMCA, Rebuilding Together Alexandria, The Campagna Center, Leadership Alexandria, ALIVE!, Senior Services of Alexandria, the Alexandria Police Foundation and the Kelley Cares Miracle Field.

Walker was previously honored with the Del Ray Business Association’s Heart of Del Ray Award in 2010. Her team also shared the Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year honor with fibre space.

A Business Award With a Community Lens

The Chamber’s Business Leader of the Year recognition is selected by its Executive Committee. In previous years, the Chamber has said the selection considers the recipient’s professional achievement, charitable involvement, community contributions, reputation and Chamber engagement.

Walker joins a recent line of honorees that includes Dr. Tammy Mann in 2020, Scott Shaw in 2021, Cathy Puskar in 2022, Don Simpson Jr. in 2023, Patricia Washington in 2024 and the Virginia Tech D.C. Area Launch Team in 2025.

The broader Best in Business Awards program also recognizes Alexandria organizations in categories including small, medium and large business; nonprofit or association; rising star; and overall business of the year. Applications for those awards are open through Aug. 7, according to the Chamber.

Tickets and partnership opportunities for the Oct. 28 celebration are available through The Chamber ALX.