David Palmer, MPA, is a multi-disciplinary convener, facilitator, public speaker, researcher, entrepreneur, and Realtor, in private practice. He is principal of DC Palmer LLC and is a licensed Michigan Real Estate Associate Broker, affiliated with Realty Experts, LLC.

Mr. Palmer spent 10 years working in kitchens as a self-taught chef. Another ten years managing successful small businesses: one focused on environmental remediation and the other flow dynamic measurement and systems integration. Next, he invested five and a half years in nonprofit regional workforce development, and concurrently seven years serving his residential and commercial real estate clients. He most recently served as the Interim Executive Director of the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy, on assignment for the Michigan Municipal League Foundation.

While the Senior Director at the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN, 2014-2019), he supported the development, award, and program implementation for over $40 million in federal, state and foundation grants received to support workforce training and capacity building in the 16 county Detroit region.

Mr. Palmer holds a Master of Public Administration degree, with honors, from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). He also earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and a undergraduate degree in political science and business from EMU. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, and a number of other professional and economic development associations. He has served on numerous advisory committees and nonprofit boards.

He lives in the Rosedale Park neighborhood, on Detroit’s west side, and can be frequently found working on a tablet during afternoon Detroit Tigers games during the warm months.

Select publications (author or contributor):

· Detroit Dreams Deferred: Thousands Mortgage Ready but Many Miss Out (University of Michigan Poverty Solutions, 2021)

· Longitudinal Data Systems in Michigan: SLDS Analysis, Stakeholder Input and Recommendations (Talent 2025, 2020)

· Community of Opportunity: a Scan of Entrepreneurship Support Assets in Southeast Michigan (NEI, 2019)

· Detroit Region Employer Turnover Studies (six Michigan Works Agencies, 2019),

· Supporting Job Seekers Facing Multiple Barriers to Work (McGregor Fund, 2019),

· Quarterly Labor Market Reports (WIN, 2014-2019)

· Community Based Investing: Crowdfunding and the Michigan Invests Locally Exemption (Michigan State University, 2014)