Elegant black and white wedding invitation featuring a decorative emblem with the initials WZ and a large number 1, surrounded by intricate scrollwork.
Ornamental black decorative flourish with symmetrical swirling patterns.

Current Collaborators

Black-and-white portrait of a young man with dark hair, wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a dark jacket, against a plain background.

  • Founding Partner

    Walker is a designer and strategist. Prior to founding The Woodlawn Initiative, he led OurThings as Co-Founder and CEO. In this capacity, he collaborated on building The Large World Model (LWM) for Domestic Life: a persistent, adaptive AI system that helps people 1) imagine, plan, design & build, 2) manage, maintain & schedule, and 3) preserve & pass on the spaces we call home across all stages of life. Prior to OurThings, he was a member of the founding executive team of Inherent, a venture-backed modular housing company in Chicago that is addressing the affordable housing crisis with an end-to-end solution to home ownership. In addition, he helped scale an international architecture firm as well as a media network focused on improving the efficiency of the built environment. He also spent some time helping legacy companies adopt tokenization and blockchain technology. Throughout, he has maintained a visual art practice as well as writing practice focused on cultural theory, the economy, and technology.

Future Collaborators

We are actively building a team of those who are excited about our mission. If you are an expert in any of the following areas, we would love to connect!

  • Develops and implements AI models and systems to enhance product intelligence, automate processes, and support decision-making across domains. Collaborates with engineers and designers to integrate machine learning capabilities into user-facing tools and infrastructure.

  • Collects, organizes, and interprets large datasets from diverse sources to reveal insights that guide product development and strategy. Ensures data integrity, scalability, and accessibility across teams and systems.

  • Transforms complex datasets into clear, compelling visual formats that support understanding and communication across technical and non-technical audiences. Designs interactive dashboards and reports to guide strategic and operational decisions.

  • Creates visual identities, layouts, and collateral that communicate the organization’s mission and products with clarity and consistency. Oversees both digital and print production to ensure quality, coherence, and brand alignment.

  • Defines long-term goals, frameworks, and actionable plans that align the company’s mission with market opportunities and operational capacity. Coordinates execution across departments to ensure measurable progress and adaptability.

  • Designs and deploys sensor systems and robotic mechanisms that enable intelligent interaction with physical environments. Develops hardware–software integrations that collect, interpret, and act on real-world data.

  • Conceives, prototypes, and refines tangible products that blend functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. Works closely with engineers, manufacturers, and users to ensure quality and human-centered outcomes.

  • Designs user interfaces, experiences, and digital workflows that make complex systems intuitive and accessible. Collaborates across disciplines to translate functional requirements into elegant, usable products.

  • Develops spatial models and visualizations to understand relationships between places, assets, and environmental factors. Integrates geospatial data into planning, infrastructure, and decision-support systems.

  • Produces and edits visual content—photography, video, and motion graphics—that documents and communicates projects, products, and stories. Enhances visual materials for clarity, emotion, and brand coherence.

  • Conducts on-site studies and builds relationships with local communities to inform design, planning, and policy. Gathers qualitative and quantitative insights that shape responsive and inclusive solutions.

  • Oversees planning, coordination, and delivery of cross-disciplinary projects from conception to completion. Ensures timelines, budgets, and outcomes align with strategic objectives and quality standards.

  • Identifies pathways to market for emerging technologies and products, from pricing and positioning to partnerships and scaling. Bridges technical innovation with business strategy to achieve sustainable growth.

  • Develops and executes strategies that articulate the company’s vision, products, and values across multiple channels. Builds brand awareness, drives engagement, and ensures consistent, compelling storytelling across audiences and platforms.

  • Provides legal guidance on corporate, intellectual property, data, and partnership matters to ensure compliance and protect organizational interests. Drafts and reviews contracts, manages risk, and supports ethical and transparent business practices.

Get in Touch
Decorative black and white ornamental divider with symmetrical swirling patterns.