Susan Palmer Email & Phone Number

Montpelier, Vermont

COACHINGMy clients direct the agendas of our strengths-based, holistic and developmental coaching conversations. Our collaborative use of inquiry, experiments and reflection -- as well as formal assessment tools, on occasion -- are designed to expand the client's capacities to: communicate authentically, motivate high-performing teams, utilize conflict productively, think strategically, take decisive action, deepen relationships with multiple stakeholders, and become a more spacious, transformational presence. I specialize in working with nonprofit executive directors, higher education administrators and federal civil servants across the U.S. and around the globe. I also offer mentor-coaching to other coaches.TRAINING AND CONSULTINGTaking an organic approach to custom-designing leadership development programs that meet the organization's desired learning objectives, I use the facilitation process to stretch individual participants' growth edges. Similarly, I tailor my consulting strategies to an organization's needs by helping senior leadership teams identify their own unique ways of operating that go beyond reacting to VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) conditions in their systems so that they can illuminate and creatively flourish within -- or outright generatively disrupt and transform -- those systems.WRITING The Leadership Library is a monthly blog which reviews ideas, books and other resources for vital take-aways and best applications for leaders. I am also the author of "Seasons of Leadership: A Self-Coaching Guide,"​ Red Barn Books, rev. 2015. (This volume is currently sold out.)

I provide leadership coaching, and conduct Leadership Circle Profile™ and Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) assessment debriefs, for civil servants in U.S. government agencies that contract with American University's Key Executive Leadership Programs to provide training. My clients have included professionals from several agencies across the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Agriculture and the White House Leadership Development Program.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

As a former attorney who understands the massive challenges currently facing the federal judicial system, I accepted an invitation to volunteer in a pilot Judiciary Coaching Program for executives in the U.S. District Courts, coordinated by the FJC.

Waterbury, Vermont

During a time of organizational change, I strengthened communication and teamwork among the regional managers of VAL's six statewide centers where adult Vermonters go for literacy skills, high school credentials, and job- and college-readiness programming. Until I left this position in order to work full-time for my coaching and consulting business, I led VAL's process of internal restructuring for improved decision-making, efficiency and outcomes.

Montpelier, Vermont

While I was earning my certificate in Leadership Coaching at Georgetown University's Institute for Transformational Leadership, I held unrelated contracts as an independent consultant with Vermont Legal Aid and with the Vermont Youth Tomorrow A*VISTA Program/Vermont Youth Development Corps AmeriCorps*State Program to do special projects.

Montpelier, Vermont

I served as an administrative leader at this small private college for career-oriented adults in several capacities. I started out as Woodbury's Director of Interdisciplinary Studies and General Education in 2003, became Interim Academic Dean in 2005, Dean of Undergraduate Studies in 2006, and then served as Dean of the College (chief academic officer) from 2007 until the academic programs were acquired by Champlain College in 2008. Prior to 2003, I was an adjunct instructor at Woodbury College, teaching "American History through Literature," "Critical Thinking" and "The Democratic Process," among other courses.

Plainfield, Vermont

At various times, I served Goddard's former undergraduate residential campus program in the roles of Faculty, Adjunct Instructor, and Writing Center Director. Academic areas in which I taught included writing, literature, American history, and undergraduate-level legal theory (e.g., "Gender, Literature and the Law" and "Pornography and the First Amendment," among other courses).

Montpelier, Vt

I held this temporary position, covering an AAG's sabbatical, for six months while I was making the transition from law into higher education administration. My primary work was negotiating pre-litigation settlements, mainly in “Vermont product” and charities fraud cases.

Montpelier, Vermont

I was former Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz's campaign manager in her successful first bid for re-election in 2000.

Rutland And Montpelier, Vermont

As a staff attorney in the Poverty Law Project, I litigated cases and conducted community outreach projects in the areas of family law, housing and government benefits.

Executive Certificate, Leadership Coaching

I founded Susan Palmer Consulting, LLC in September 2009 after completing this graduate-level certificate program which "prepares coaches.

Higher Education Leadership And Management Program

J.D., General Practice

Student Commencement Speaker. National Rural Legal Corps Fellowship. Stanley E. Gould Prize.

M.A., English Literature

Graduate Teaching Fellowship. Frederick Tupper Award.

B.A., Cum Laude, English Literature (Double Minors: Psychology, Maritime Studies)

Mary Dunning Thwing Prize.