March 22, 2026

CWE is one of those rare organizations that understands success as a system—linking education, mentorship, and community. Their programs don’t just help you build a business; they help you build the ecosystem around it.

Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez video short thumbnail

What inspired Eloisa’s business?

Eloisa was inspired to start Walking Tree after conversations with her oldest child about climate change sparked a desire to make a meaningful difference in the world. With a background in collaboration design, she saw an opportunity to help organizations work together more effectively, particularly in complex clean energy initiatives where alignment is essential. Her goal was to apply her expertise to create partnership structures that reduce friction, clarify roles, and accelerate impact, ensuring that big initiatives don’t get stalled despite strong commitment from the people involved.

Business Highlights

Since its founding in February 2020, Walking Tree has grown into a nationally recognized consultancy supporting public agencies, clean energy collaborations, and cross-sector organizations. Eloisa’s firm is known for its systems-level approach, integrating human-centered frameworks with tools like AI to create adaptable and transparent partnership structures. A key highlight includes the development of signature collaboration frameworks that allow complex projects to move smoothly while holding all partners accountable. Walking Tree’s work has helped clients reduce delays, accelerate implementation, and scale impact, positioning the firm as a trusted partner for initiatives that depend on multi-organization collaboration.

How has CWE helped Eloisa in her journey?

CWE has been instrumental in Eloisa’s growth as a founder. Through programs like Power Forward and ongoing advisory support, she gained access to mentorship, community, and resources that expanded her perspective and strengthened her leadership. CWE encouraged her to pursue WBENC certification, which opened doors to new contracts and collaborations. The support she received from CWE has had a multiplier effect, helping her grow revenue, expand her national reach, and deepen the impact of Walking Tree’s work in the clean energy space.

Walking Tree logo

How does she feel about owning her own business?

Owning Walking Tree gives Eloisa a profound sense of agency and freedom. She values the ability to design her days in ways that serve both her family and her clients, choosing projects that are meaningful and purpose-driven. Entrepreneurship has also strengthened her confidence and resilience, allowing her to lead with intention while elevating others through her work. For Eloisa, business is not just about systems and processes—it is about people, connection, and creating opportunities for others to thrive, including professionals returning to the workforce after caregiving breaks.

How has building her own business changed Eloisa’s life?

Building Walking Tree has transformed Eloisa both personally and professionally. She has grown in skills such as marketing, business development, and contract negotiation while gaining a deeper understanding of the external forces that shape business realities, like politics and policy. Owning her business has also pushed her into public speaking and thought leadership, allowing her to combine technical expertise with storytelling to inspire others. Through this journey, she has gained confidence in advocating for fair compensation and taking calculated risks, reinforcing her sense of purpose and impact.

What has creating a business of her own done for Eloisa?

Creating Walking Tree has allowed Eloisa to reshape her understanding of entrepreneurship as an act of agency and community impact. She has been able to model for her children what it looks like to lead with purpose, leaving a positive legacy for future generations. Through her business, she has also created opportunities for talented professionals to re-enter the workforce, helping them regain confidence and advance their careers. Her clients gain more than strategy—they gain a mindset shift around collaboration, communication, and shared accountability, amplifying positive outcomes for organizations and the communities they serve.

She wants you to know this about CWE

Eloisa views CWE as a unique organization that understands success as a system. She emphasizes that CWE goes beyond teaching business fundamentals, helping entrepreneurs build the ecosystem around their ventures through education, mentorship, and community support. She says that CWE ensures that women entrepreneurs are equipped not only with skills but also with the collective strength needed to grow sustainably, making it a critical partner in the success of businesses like Walking Tree.

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