3Keys Staff Spotlight: Scott Walker, President and CEO

At 3Keys, every resident has a story. Behind those stories is a team of people working every day to ensure our residents have the housing, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Leading that work is President & CEO Scott Walker, whose lifelong commitment to serving others has shaped not only his career, but the culture at 3Keys.

For Scott, the mission of 3Keys is deeply personal.

Scott understands firsthand the importance of stability, support, and having people who believe in you. This keen awareness helped shape a career spanning more than 30 years in social work, affordable housing, and homelessness services, where he has dedicated himself to helping people overcome barriers and build better futures.

“My goal is to work collectively to impact the lives of the individuals 3Keys serves,” Scott says. “To ensure their experience is positive and everyone has a chance to win.”

The 3Keys’ staff at the O’Hern House renovation groundbreaking. Scott is pictured at the far left.

A Career Built on Service

Scott’s path to leadership began at the State University of New York (SUNY) Stony Brook, where he earned both his Bachelor’s degree and his Master of Social Work. As a student-athlete, he played basketball while serving as a graduate assistant – a unique opportunity that allowed him to pursue graduate school while developing invaluable relationships with mentors who helped shape his future.

Those mentors encouraged him to think beyond traditional social work roles and embrace the administrative and leadership side of the profession.

“I met people who saw more in me than I saw in myself,” Scott reflects. “They helped me understand that social work is a profession that deserves respect, and they encouraged me to keep learning and preparing for leadership.”

That preparation led Scott through a remarkable career serving in community social work, public education, housing development for people with disabilities, medicaid services, affordable housing planning, and nonprofit leadership. Along the way, he has worked with New York State Government, the New York City Board of Education, Georgia State Government, the City of Atlanta, and several nonprofit housing organizations before joining 3Keys as President & CEO in 2021.

As part of the Titan 100 Day of Service, Scott volunteered at the Gateway Center to prep meals for individuals experiencing homeless.

No Two Days Are Ever the Same

Ask Scott what a typical day looks like, and he’ll tell you there really isn’t one.

While his calendar is often packed with meetings, strategic planning, partnership discussions, and unexpected challenges, he intentionally makes time to visit each 3Keys property, connect with staff, and spend time with residents.

“No day is the same,” he says. “You have to stay flexible.”

Those moments with residents are what energize him most.

“Being around the residents keeps me connected and allows me to be positive,” Scott says. “It’s one of the best parts of my job.”

Whether he’s checking in on a property, brainstorming new partnerships, or responding to an unexpected issue, Scott believes staying connected to the people at the heart of the mission helps guide every decision.

Turning Vision Into Reality

While Scott enjoys interacting with residents, he also loves transforming ideas into action.

“I enjoy taking opportunities, putting pen to paper, and then seeing those ideas come to life,” he says.

That vision has helped 3Keys expand its impact in recent years.

Among the accomplishments Scott is most proud of is the successful completion of Phase I of the O’Hern House rehabilitation project. After receiving $5.4 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget (OPB), the team recognized the project required additional investment. Rather than scaling back their vision, they strategically divided the work into two phases. 

Scott credits the relationships he has built throughout his career with helping position 3Keys to secure the resources needed to complete O’Hern House Phase II. Phase II is slated to begin in late 2026 and the anticipated completion date is mid-2027.

Scott A. Walker, CEO of The 3Keys, gives remarks during the O’Hern House groundbreaking.

He’s equally proud of building 3Keys’ supportive services team, recognizing that stable housing alone isn’t enough.

“You can do housing, but you also have to provide the supportive services,” Scott says. “They go hand in hand, and they’re incredibly impactful for our residents.”

Investing in People

Scott’s passion extends beyond residents. Developing staff is one of the most rewarding parts of his work.

He enjoys mentoring employees, helping them discover new opportunities, and supporting their professional growth – whether their future is at 3Keys or elsewhere.

That investment in people is reflected throughout the organization, where many employees have built long careers serving residents. Their longevity speaks to the supportive culture Scott strives to foster every day.

Several 3Keys team members completed professional development with the Georgia Supportive Housing Institute course in January 2026.

Leading by Example

Although Scott has held executive leadership positions throughout his career, becoming President & CEO of 3Keys represented the opportunity he had aspired toward for years.

With that opportunity comes a responsibility that he takes seriously.

“I don’t take this position lightly,” he says. “My goal is to have an organization that is relevant, that is doing really impactful things in this space, while continuing to think about what’s next and how we can be even better.”

His leadership philosophy is simple: never ask someone to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.

“I try to lead by example,” Scott says. “I don’t ask staff to do anything that I’m not willing to do. That’s important when you’re a leader.”

It’s an approach that has helped shape a collaborative culture built on trust, accountability, and shared purpose.

3Keys President/CEO, Scott Walker, and City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stand together during the Mayor’s tour of Welcome House.

A Mission That Never Stops

Throughout his career, Scott has witnessed the realities of homelessness not only through his work, but within his own extended family. Those experiences have reinforced his belief that everyone deserves compassion, dignity, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Whether helping a family member find stability or leading an organization that serves hundreds of residents each year, Scott approaches every situation with the same mindset: lean in and help where you can.

That commitment is what continues to guide his leadership at 3Keys.

As the organization grows, expands supportive services, and develops new housing opportunities, Scott remains focused on creating a future where more individuals have access to the stable housing and comprehensive support they need to thrive.

Because for Scott Walker, ending homelessness isn’t simply a profession – it’s a purpose.