Mara Palmer
Workforce Solutions with Proven HR StrategiesMara equips your organization with strategies to build stronger, people-centered workplaces.
✓ Strategic HR Consulting
✓ Leadership Trainings
✓ Policy + Compliance Audits
✓ Employee Handbook Creation
✓ Culture Assessments
✓ Strategic HR Consulting
✓ Leadership Trainings
✓ Policy + Compliance Audits
✓ Employee Handbook Creation
✓ Culture Assessments
Meet Mara: Human-Centered Strategist, Speaker & Culture Builder
Mara Palmer is a workplace strategist and culture consultant with nearly two decades of experience in HR, payroll, and compliance. She is the founder of The ElevateHR Project and developed the Strengths Driven Engagement and Belonging model, helping organizations align their people practices with values like empathy, clarity, and connection.
She is also the Director of HR at Redwood Community Services, a nonprofit dedicated to serving and strengthening communities, where she leads all aspects of human resources including compliance, employee relations, and organizational development. In this role she supports a diverse workforce, advances equitable policies, and ensures that mission-driven values are reflected in day-to-day operations.
Her mission began after being laid off in a way that lacked humanity. That moment shaped her commitment to help companies lead differently. Through keynotes, workshops, and executive coaching, she challenges traditional HR approaches and equips leaders with tools to build inclusive, people-first cultures that drive performance and retention.
Mara holds a PHRca certification and is completing a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She actively volunteers with SHRM and is known for her grounded, approachable style. Whether speaking to a team of five or a ballroom of five hundred, Mara inspires leaders to shift from checking boxes to creating impact through culture
If you're ready to elevate how your team works and how your people feel, let's talk.
Meet Mara: Human-Centered Strategist, Speaker & Culture Builder
She is also the Director of HR at Redwood Community Services, a nonprofit dedicated to serving and strengthening communities, where she leads all aspects of human resources including compliance, employee relations, and organizational development. In this role she supports a diverse workforce, advances equitable policies, and ensures that mission-driven values are reflected in day-to-day operations.
Her mission began after being laid off in a way that lacked humanity. That moment shaped her commitment to help companies lead differently. Through keynotes, workshops, and executive coaching, she challenges traditional HR approaches and equips leaders with tools to build inclusive, people-first cultures that drive performance and retention.
Mara holds a PHRca certification and is completing a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She actively volunteers with SHRM and is known for her grounded, approachable style. Whether speaking to a team of five or a ballroom of five hundred, Mara inspires leaders to shift from checking boxes to creating impact through culture
If you're ready to elevate how your team works and how your people feel, let's talk.
Do you have a workplace people want to stay in?
Mara brings real-world HR wisdom, humor, and insights to help you create a culture that attracts, retains, and empowers.
H R M A G I C
Why Partner with Mara?
18+ years in HR, payroll & compliance
Practical, emotionally resonant insights
Volunteer leader at SHRM National & Regional levels
Certified PHRca, Master’s in I/O Psych. (in progress)
Dynamic, humorous, and relatable storytelling
Planning Your Next Event?
Download Mara’s Speaker Kit to explore how she helps organizations move from policies to people-first cultures
See How Leaders Like YouAre Leading with More Purpose and People-First Impact
Are Leading with More Purpose and People-First Impact
“Working with Mara and The ElevateHR Project was a game changer for my business. As a small electrical contractor, I knew I needed to get serious about policies—but what I didn’t realize was how much culture mattered too. Mara didn’t just build us a compliant, California-specific employee handbook—she helped me define expectations, reinforce accountability, and set the tone for how we treat each other and our clients.
She made the process simple, but more importantly, meaningful. The result is a stronger, more united crew—and I finally feel confident knowing I’ve got the structure and support to lead my team the right way.”
“When I took over PARS, I inherited a legacy business with great products—but no real compliance structure in place. California’s employment laws can be overwhelming, and I quickly realized I needed help navigating it all the right way. Mara and The ElevateHR Project stepped in and helped me rebuild our entire HR foundation from the ground up.
She didn’t just focus on compliance—she helped me prepare for growth by putting the right hiring processes, employee policies, and culture-building strategies in place. With Mara’s guidance, I now feel equipped to lead a business that’s not only compliant, but ready to thrive. I trust her and The ElevateHR Project completely.”
Signature Keynote: From Compliance to Culture
Building Workplaces That Work for People
In this keynote, Mara redefines HR and risk management by showing how compliance can actually build a stronger culture. Through real stories and research on psychological safety, she teaches leaders how to turn policies into purpose—and build trust instead of fear.
Whether you're in HR, a business owner, or an executive, you’ll leave with practical tools to protect your people, boost engagement, and lead with integrity. This isn’t just a talk—it’s a new way to lead.
Breakout Sessions
✓ Strengths-Driven Engagement & Belonging (SDEB)
✓ Psychological Safety at Work
✓ DEI Beyond the Checkbox
✓ Compliance-Minded Leadership for Small Businesses
✓ HR in Real Life: Building Culture When You’re Wearing All the Hats
Breakout Sessions
✓ Strengths-Driven Engagement & Belonging (SDEB)
✓ Psychological Safety at Work
✓ DEI Beyond the Checkbox
✓ Compliance-Minded Leadership for Small Businesses
✓ HR in Real Life: Building Culture When You’re Wearing All the Hats
Still Have Questions?
When People Thrive, Results Follow.
Where Compliance Meets Culture
Email: mara@theelevatehrproject.com