Nikie Walker, Ed.D
As an accomplished author, columnist, public speaker, and educator, I bring more than 25 years of expertise in human resources and over 15 years of hands-on experience managing small and family-owned businesses. This unique blend of strategic insight and practical leadership led to the founding of 20/20 Walker Consulting—a firm dedicated to helping small-to-midsize businesses unlock the full potential of their people through smart, sustainable HR solutions.
Throughout my career, I’ve built HR departments from the ground up, implemented compliant and effective hiring processes, developed ADA-aligned job descriptions, and introduced onboarding programs that actually work. From crafting employee handbooks to conducting impactful training sessions, I specialize in creating customized systems that fuel both culture and compliance—especially for businesses without in-house HR teams. As a former business owner myself, I understand the real-world pressures entrepreneurs face and offer solutions that are as practical as they are strategic.
Beyond consulting, I’m deeply committed to developing the next generation of leaders. I’ve designed and taught university-level courses in Human Resource Management, Leadership, International Business, and Employment Law, tailoring each to meet the fast-evolving needs of today's workforce. As a speaker and columnist, I regularly share insights on employee engagement, burnout prevention, leadership development, and workplace transformation. My writing has been featured in respected publications, including the Business section of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer.
Whether you’re seeking expert support in policy development, performance management, or long-term strategic planning, I deliver actionable, customized solutions that align with your goals and elevate your workplace. Let’s partner to transform your HR challenges into powerful opportunities for growth.
Check out my Youtube Channel!
My guiding principle is simple yet powerful: “Happy employees lead to happy patients and customers.” This belief drives my passion for human resources, leadership, and community impact. Currently, I serve as the Division Chair of the Charles A. Reid School of Business and Assistant Professor at Brescia University, where I have the privilege of shaping the minds of future business leaders.
My commitment to service extends beyond the classroom. I have proudly served on the Board of Trustees for Girls Inc. of Owensboro, as well as with the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation (KLEF) and the Owensboro Lions Club, organizations deeply rooted in vision care and youth development.
I hold a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Development (Ed.D.) from the University of Dayton, earned in July 2022, as well as a Master’s in Human Resource Leadership from Sullivan University, a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Louisville, and an Associate of Arts from Owensboro Community and Technical College. This academic foundation complements my extensive 25-year HR experience and fuels my dedication to service, both locally and globally.
I have designed and led transformative programs focused on interview preparation, workforce development, and young women’s empowerment—reaching students, community shelters, Girls Inc., and other local organizations. These initiatives have left a meaningful and lasting impact on individuals and families alike.
Beyond my professional work, I am deeply committed to humanitarian service. I have participated in vision medical missions from Mexico, Argentina, to Africa, helping restore sight to individuals in underserved communities. These experiences have not only reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of service but have also deepened my commitment to global outreach.
These experiences have powerfully affirmed that authentic leadership begins with compassion and service—and they have deepened my calling to create lasting change through global and local outreach with the transformative gift of giving.
Whether I am in a boardroom, classroom, or remote village, my goal remains the same: to bridge the gap between effective leadership and meaningful community engagement. Because to me, true success isn’t measured only by milestones—but by the lives we impact along the way.
Through every role I take on—whether as a consultant, educator, speaker, or volunteer—I aim to bridge the gap between effective leadership and meaningful impact. One of my favorite quotes, by Anaïs Nin, perfectly captures my outlook on life and leadership: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
With that courage, I have built a career around empowering others—and I’m just getting started.
