In 2001, Walker Sands set out to make an impression on businesses and the world alike. That mission prevails, as evidenced by their longstanding partnerships and expansion from Chicago to San Francisco and, most recently, Seattle.

In the past two decades, they've cultivated a culture that prioritizes collaboration. While other agencies have struggled to bring PR and digital services together, they have made it their foundation.

This approach has paid off. The company is a six-time Inc. 5000 honoree that has grown revenues 194 percent over the last six years. These numbers are the result of a thriving culture, which Inc., Crain’s Chicago Business and Entrepreneur have recognized in their best places to work rankings.

Annie Gudorf is a partner and Senior Account Director at Walker Sands Communications and leads the firm's Seattle office which is fastest growing tech hub in the US.

Outside of focusing on growing Walker Sands' presence in Seattle and across the West Coast, she manages a talented team in the agency's enterprise software/professional services practice area with the goal of delivering creative and strategic programs for clients.

I invited Annie onto the show to learn more about how she was credited with effectively bringing Walker Sands’ well-established midwestern B2B tech expertise to Seattle. Annie also shares the differences between tech startup founders in the Emerald city vs. the Windy city.