We were lucky to catch up with The Honorable Jacquie Baly recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi The Honorable Jacquie, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
From the beginning of her career as a City Planner to becoming Vice President of the Greater Houston Partnership, 2nd black person to serve on Sugar Land’s City Council, to becoming the owner of a successful business Jacquie continues to receive statewide and national recognition. National Business Owner of the Year and Texas Women’s Hall of Fame are her latest accolades.
Jacquie’s community service only augments all of her accomplishments. One of her favorite community endeavors includes chairing Cattle Baron’s Ball and serving on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society’s iconic Cattle Baron’s Ball, a western-themed gala founded 50 years ago in Dallas, Texas, thrives in 27 different cities across America that will collectively raise close to $20 million for the ongoing pursuit of a cure for cancer. Cattle Baron Dallas and Cattle Baron Houston are the two largest fundraisers in the country for the American Cancer Society and I am the first Black person in Cattle Baron’s history to serve as chair. Additionally, Jacquie was unanimously approved to serve on Harris County Women’s Commission. She now serves as Vice Chair of the Commission, which will conduct research, produce reports, engage with the community, and make recommendations to the Commissioners Court related to economic opportunities and health outcomes of women of all races and ethnicities, and income levels, in Harris County.
Jacquie has maintained a successful practice in public affairs and media relations, is a leader in the community, and is a devoted mother and wife to her family. Through awards, accolades, and successes, she is living proof that with hard work and determination, the “American dream” is an attainable goal.
our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Jacquie Baly, President of BalyProjects, has been a leader in the Texas business and policy communities for decades. She began her career as a city, and regional planner, then served as Vice President of the Greater Houston Partnership before her public service as Governor Rick Perry’s appointee on water and wastewater issues, then-Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Sugar Land. Twenty-three years ago, Ms. Baly founded BalyProjects in 1999 to provide public affairs, business development, and media relations services to individuals, institutions, small businesses, governments, and corporations. Additionally, she advises Governor Greg Abbott on Higher Education initiatives; serves as Vice Chair on Harris County Commissioner Court’s Women’s Commission dealing with economic development and business opportunities for women; and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston, where she has taught public policy for over 15 years. Baly is a 2023 Texas Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee and will be honored for her efforts and hard work in early March.
Ms. Baly lectures on public policy at the University of Houston and served as a Faculty-In-Residence for the New Leadership Summer Institute at the University of Texas in Austin. She is a featured speaker at numerous conferences and summits.
Specialties: public affairs, public relations, and media relations
Signature Project Impacting the State of Texas
Jacquie spent many years working with top governmental and elected officials on the Houston region’s State Implementation Program (SIP). Through BalyProjects, she worked with elected officials, independent school districts, and the corporate community to develop public education programs. One of her company’s projects, Adopt-A-School Bus, significantly impacted regional air quality initiatives. The primary purpose of the Adopt-A-School Bus Program is to aid local school districts in non-attainment and near-non-attainment areas in replacing their aging diesel school buses with new, “clean-fuel” buses. These goals coincide with the statements of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Administrator, who unveiled the latest children’s health initiative calling for the nation’s school buses to minimize their emissions through voluntary efforts.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
At 53, I returned to school to earn my Doctorate in public policy and higher education leadership. I completed my master’s close to 3 decades ago, married shortly thereafter and continued with life. I had two perfect sons, started my career, and always knew I wanted my doctorate but knew the timing was off. And then there was the divorce. As a single mother solely financially responsible for two phenomenal young men, I knew whatever my needs or wants were had to remain in the background. I was recently Inducted into the International Honor Society and have maintained a 4.0 GPA every semester.
My younger son graduated from Harvard (with High honors in neuroscience) in May 2022, and I applied to the University of Southern California. I was accepted into their Doctoral program in May 2022. USC was the only school I applied to. I always wanted to go there and felt optimistic about my chances of getting accepted.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
Covid 19 Challenges • loss in clients or business revenue
• it was difficult placing coverage in the pandemic news cycle
• it wasn’t easy finding relevant angles for pitches; and
• many of Jacquie’s clients scaled back or eliminated PR and public affairs resources
Overcame these issues
Jacquie’s firm collaborated with executive leadership, particularly with the C-suite (CEO, CHRO, CMO, CFO, and COO).
In times of crisis, communication is critical. Even though she had a harsh pandemic year, Jacquie worked around the clock adjusting messaging, giving interviews, writing crisis communication plans, and keeping clients at ease. Companies without a good communications professional or team have been struggling. Crisis communication is not to be taken lightly, and Jacquie’s crew is here to help. Covid was the dress rehearsal for the next crisis. BalyProjects is now equipped to help companies prepare and survive.
One of Jacquie’s biggest strengths is building relationships, which got her company through the pandemic. She knows how to move through crises and foster cooperation as a relationship builder. Her company’s products and services shifted to meet the needs of current and future clients navigating complex waters.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BalyProjects.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professor.on.air/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jacqueline.Baly.Chaumette/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquie-baly-2b11501/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquieBaly
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQnU1jvDJAQo9vCtKq6JHUA