Mara Palmer
Human Resources Director

Mara Palmer is a dynamic Human Resources Leader and certified HR professional with almost two decades of experience driving people-first strategies across diverse industries. Known for her strategic vision and operational excellence, Mara has led transformative initiatives in employee engagement, payroll and benefits administration, compliance, and organizational development.

Her career spans roles at companies such as Traditional Medicinals, INC, Max Machinery, INC, and Redwood Credit Union, where she implemented scalable HR systems, launched wellness programs, and spearheaded cross-functional projects including payroll entity setups and HRIS upgrades. Mara’s expertise in California employment law, multi-state payroll, and benefits optimization has made her a trusted advisor to executive teams navigating growth and change.

Mara holds an HR Management Certificate from Sonoma State University. She is PHRca certified and pursuing her SHRM-SCP. A passionate advocate for professional development and inclusive workplaces, Mara actively contributes to SHRM chapters statewide and nationally, and HR boards across California.

With a reputation for empathy, precision, and strategic thinking, Mara Palmer is committed to building resilient organizations where people thrive.

She is also a keynote speaker on aligning people practices with core values such as empathy, clarity, and connection, guiding organizations to foster cultures where both individuals and business outcomes flourish.