As chief growth officer for New York City-based Marina Maher Communications and its health-focused sister agency RXMOSAIC, Courtney Walker ‘93 (English) embraces evolutions in the communication industry while fostering core skills with both her employees and the students she connects with to share her experience. The result is award-winning work produced by a strong workplace culture and a new generation of communicators who are more prepared to step into the industry.
The two agencies provide outstanding work for their clients in the areas of consumer, health care and corporate communications. MMC prides itself on being “artfully disruptive” in the work it does for clients such as Pantene, Cover Girl, Head & Shoulders and Sally Hansen. In 2025, PR Week recognized MMC as an Outstanding Agency.
RXMOSAIC focuses on health care communications and was honored as Best in Mental Health and Wellbeing by PR Week for their work with Bristol Myers Squibb to retell the experience of living with schizophrenia.
She is now an HBA Luminary, a designation given by the Healthcare Business Women’s Association to professionals for their significant impact, leadership, mentorship and dedication to enhancing the careers of other women in the field.
Walker’s career began in Los Angeles at FischerHealth, where she specialized in medical technology. Although the work wasn’t the glamorous side of PR she had imagined, one of her first projects involved promoting wristbands for morning and sea sickness. It was here that she discovered her passion for health care communication. That passion took her to New York and launched her into leadership roles at agencies like Ruder Finn, Edelman, WCG and Goodfuse Communications.
But over the past two decades, Walker has not only witnessed the rapidly evolving PR industry, she helped lead it. From her early days navigating printed media to now guiding teams across RXMOSAIC as they build campaigns that blend creativity, strategy, and digital and traditional media.
“When I started, everything was printed and saved in binders,” Walker said. “Earned media was the primary focus, and securing a story meant finding a reporter’s contact information from a quarterly updated phone list.”
As the industry evolved, so did Walker’s work. She led teams to award-winning health care campaigns that resonate with audiences on both emotional and scientific levels using technology like AI and data analytics to support storytelling. But she remains grounded in what she truly believes will make an impact.
“Every time a major change happens, people predict the industry’s demise. But we always evolve, finding new ways to create and deliver value,” Walker said.
As a leader, she fosters an environment where creativity and risk-taking are encouraged.
“To be successful in PR, you have to be good at a lot of things,” she said. “But more importantly, you need to feel safe failing in front of your team. Some of the best ideas start as half-formed thoughts that need refinement. Creating a space where people can voice those ideas without fear of judgment is crucial,” said Walker.
Beyond her professional achievements, Walker remains closely connected to The Ohio State University and School of Communication students. In 2024 and 2025, she hosted PRSSA students at her agency’s office during their annual NYC agency tour, providing aspiring young professionals with firsthand insight into agency life.
“PR is a small industry, and as you grow in your career, the network gets even tighter. It’s essential to stay engaged, not only to collaborate with peers but also to welcome and support the next generation,” Walker said.
Article by student Emma Thompson
