Dr. Jacquie Baly is a leadership strategist—advancing governance, shaping policy, and building institutions designed for long-term impact. Born in the Caribbean and raised in Texas, she brings an immigrant-rooted work ethic to a career dedicated to strengthening communities through responsible governance, evidence‑based solutions, and strategic partnerships. She is a #1 international best‑selling author, an award‑winning academic, a seasoned media commentator, and a trusted civic leader.
As Founder and CEO of BalyProjects, Dr. Baly advises corporations, nonprofits, and public-sector organizations on navigating complex systems, securing strategic partnerships, and advancing initiatives that deliver measurable results and fiscal accountability. Her work in the private and public arenas complements her nearly two decades as a professor at the University of Houston, where she is respected for mentoring emerging leaders and cultivating judgment and institutional capacity. Her commitment to impact is also reflected in her local and state leadership roles, which focus on financial empowerment and community development. As Chair of the Harris County Women’s Commission, she led efforts to strengthen financial stability and expand economic pathways for women across the region. She has also served as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Sugar Land.
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the University Research Initiative Board, Dr. Baly helped secure more than $138 million in research funding to bolster Texas’s competitiveness and innovation ecosystem. A passionate advocate for public health and biomedical research, she played a key role in advancing a $3 billion federal biomarker bill and raised over $2 million in a single year for the American Cancer Society while serving as a board director. She currently leads a multimillion-dollar capital campaign for the YMCA and serves on the board of Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists (BRASS), supporting MD/PhD research talent.
Her leadership has earned numerous prestigious honors, including induction into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, Humanitarian of the Year, Ambassador for Women of Distinction, the Vince Lombardi Champion Award, Texas Children’s Community Champions Award, St. Jude’s Philanthropist of the Year, UH Alumni Association’s Rising Star and Black Alumnus of the Year, and recognition among the Most Influential Black Leaders in America. Her insights have been featured across major networks, including ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC.
Dr. Baly calls Houston home, where she resides with her husband, business executive James Craig, and draws daily inspiration from her two accomplished sons — Raphael, a Boston College MBA graduate and marketing executive, and Alexandre, a published medical researcher and Harvard Medical School student. Grounded in strong family values and steadfast dedication to service, she approaches leadership with strategic vision and a lasting commitment to creating impact that endures beyond any single tenure.
Contact & Social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacquie-baly-2b11501/ Media or speaking inquiries: jacquie@balyprojects.com
