Culture Uncovered
Ever wonder what it's like to work for the best companies in the world? Maybe you’re actively looking for a new job. Or maybe you’re thinking about your next strategic career move.
Well, you've come to the right place.
Each week we meet with talent leaders at companies you’ve heard of - and many organizations you haven’t. Giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work there…before you even apply.
Culture Uncovered
Walker Sands
Can you thrive in agency life without burning out?
At Walker Sands, the answer is yes. In this episode, Jena sits down with Allison Ward, Chief People Officer at Walker Sands, a fast-growing B2B marketing agency that’s rewriting the agency playbook with career reinvention, flexibility, and real culture and not just ping-pong tables. From hybrid structure to intentional coaching and longevity that defies industry norms, this episode is packed with advice for job seekers and career pivoters alike.
What you’ll learn:
- Why longevity is rare in agencies and how Walker Sands beats the odds
- How a Wienermobile job launched Allison’s career (and why PR pros need reinvention)
- The difference between managers and coaches and how Walker Sands uses that intentionally
- How to identify and grow transferable skills (even from parenting!)
- Why feedback, flexibility, and “learning by doing” are central to thriving in this agency
- Tips on getting your resume seen and what not to do with AI
Some Walker Sands highlights:
Founded: 2001
Team Size: ~170 employees
Locations: HQ in Chicago + offices in Seattle and Boston, with hybrid/remote staff across the U.S.
Perks & Culture:
- Primarily hybrid, strong remote inclusion, collaborative and feedback-forward
- Coaching over managing: every employee has a dedicated coach
- Employee-led Find the Fun committee (trivia, scavenger hunts, social hours)
- 5 active ERGs + volunteer opportunities
- Formal mentorship program
- Learning and development budget + team-specific programming
To learn more about Walker Sands:
Careers Page (They are hiring!)
LinkedIn Page
Allison's LinkedIn
Jena Dunay: Hello friends and welcome back to another episode of Culture Uncovered! I'm so excited to have Allison Ward, Chief People Officer of Walker Sands, a B2B marketing agency, on the podcast today!
Allison Ward: Thanks for having me!
Jena: So tell us, what is Walker Sands exactly? "Marketing agency" can mean a lot of things!
Allison: We’re a B2B marketing agency that works with clients primarily in the tech space, cybersecurity, fintech, martech, HR tech, and industries like healthcare. We support the full marketing funnel: PR, go-to-market strategy, branding, creative, content, paid media, SEO, you name it!
Jena: Awesome! How old is the company?
Allison: We were founded in 2001 and have focused on B2B since the late 2000s.
Jena: And how did the company get started?
Allison: It’s a great story! Walker Sands was founded by a husband-and-wife team who met in consulting, not marketing. They ran a few successful dot-com era businesses and realized the power of marketing. They started the agency to help other companies grow, with PR and digital marketing from the beginning. One of our co-founders even had a background in computer science, which shaped our early approach.
Jena: Wow, interesting! And how big is Walker Sands today?
Allison: We’re just under 170 employees, with offices in Chicago, Seattle, and Boston. We also have remote staff across the U.S.
Jena: Would you say you're hybrid or remote-first?
Allison: We’re a hybrid organization. Most people come in one or two days a week, but we also support remote work fully. It’s important to us that remote employees feel just as connected to the culture as those in-office.
Jena: Love that! How have you navigated building culture in that kind of setup?
Allison: Intentionality. Even pre-pandemic, we had clients across time zones and internationally, so we were set up tech-wise. But cultural engagement takes real effort. We use tools like Slack to foster informal connection and assign new hires a buddy for support. We also have ERGs and community groups across locations.
Jena: Yes! It’s all about building that connection. So tell us, how did you find your way to Walker Sands?
Allison: My career actually started with me driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. I have to mention that! It was a spokesperson role, so I got my first taste of PR. From there I moved into in-house marketing and HR, then eventually found Walker Sands when I wanted agency experience. We were only about 35 people at the time. I thought I'd stay for a few years, and 12 years later, I'm still here!
Jena: That’s amazing! I love that story! Reinventing yourself in one organization is powerful. What advice do you have for someone wanting to reinvent their career?
Allison: Recognize that your skillset is broader than your current role. I list on my LinkedIn that I’m a working mom, because I’ve learned key skills; negotiation, planning, organizing, from that experience too! If you understand your strengths and talk to people in roles you’re curious about, you can start to pivot.
Jena: Negotiating with toddlers is next-level! But seriously, I love what you’re saying. People often overlook how transferable their skills are. So let's talk about culture, how would you describe the culture and people at Walker Sands?
Allison: Collaborative and supportive! "Support" is one of our core values. We encourage people to build on ideas, challenge each other with respect, and stay open to feedback. Our values aren’t aspirational, they reflect who thrives here: people who support, learn, and do.
Jena: I love that! Aspirational values are fine but values should reflect what’s actually happening. So tell me, how is Walker Sands different from other agencies?
Allison: Most agencies see high turnover. Ours is different. Our average employee tenure is over 4 years, and leadership over a decade. That’s rare in agency life. We weren’t built by traditional agency people, and from the start, our founders wanted this to be a place where people could do great work and still live full lives. We talk a lot about integration—not work-life balance, but work-life fit.
Jena: Yes! That kind of flexibility is so important. What are some of the perks people love?
Allison: We have a "Find the Fun" committee, trivia, scavenger hunts, social hours, and tons of volunteer opportunities. We also have five active ERGs and a mentorship program that pairs junior and senior employees. And our learning and development culture is strong, we even use the word "coach" instead of manager.
Jena: That’s amazing! It really changes the dynamic. So who tends to thrive at Walker Sands?
Allison: People who are flexible, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity. We don’t work in step-by-step processes. It’s about building and iterating. If you like variety and collaboration, you’ll do great here. If you need all the answers before acting, it might be tough.
Jena: Yes! Knowing your own wiring is so important. What’s something you’re working on improving right now?
Allison: Change management. We’re growing fast, and with growth comes change. We’ve gone through department restructures, new systems, and integration of new leadership. We use the concept of the J-curve, acknowledging that productivity dips during change, but ultimately leads to improvement. Transparency and communication are key.
Jena: That’s so honest and helpful! Are you hiring in 2025?
Allison: Absolutely! We’re hiring across departments and geographies. Visit walkersands.com/careers to see openings. And we really encourage people to write a genuine cover letter. Tell us why you want to work at Walker Sands. That authenticity stands out!
Jena: Yes! Customizing your message goes a long way. Allison, thank you so much for being here today. I loved this conversation!
Allison: Thank you! I had a great time!
Jena: And to our listeners, we’ll see you again next week for another episode of Culture Uncovered!