About Nikki Palmer-Quade

A Milwaukee native, I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Science degree in Human Resources from Marquette University. I bring over 25 years of business experience in manufacturing, commercial building services, professional services, and higher education.

Personal Leadership Experience

Early in my career, I reported to a forward-thinking President who saw my potential. With his coaching, I rotated into leadership roles across the entire organization - HR, Marketing & Sales, Administration, Accounting, Operations & Customer Service. To accomplish this, it was critical that I develop my replacements along the way. We became the number one building services firm in the state, where ultimately, I was second-in-command and co-owner. 

After leading the sale of that company, I orchestrated our merger into the new organization, retaining 100% of our leadership team and our clients in the process. I headed up strategic planning and targeted sales efforts. From there I left for challenging roles with boutique and global leadership firms. With a passion for training & developing others, I then shifted into higher education. As a full-time faculty member, I developed and taught courses in Management, Leadership Development and Employee Training & Development. 

While a college instructor, the Corporate Training Center tapped me to develop and deliver courses on Organizational Culture, Developing Strengths, Leading Change, and Building High-Performance Teams. I also worked on a contingent basis with a multinational brewing company's Talent Management department to keep my skills sharp while teaching business.

Credentials

In addition to my MSHR degree, I have been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) since 1999. I successfully completed Lee Hecht Harrison’s Leadership Coaching Certification Program and earned ACC certification from the International Coach Federation. I hold Wisconsin Technical College System faculty certification and continually sharpen my own coaching, HR, and facilitation skills. Locally, I serve on the board of directors for the Southeastern Wisconsin Association for Talent Development (SEWI-ATD) as President.

What You Can Expect

Earning your trust is critical to me. I am quick to build rapport, get focused quickly on your agenda, and bring a sense of humor to my work. My goal is to equip my clients with the tools and skills to sustain success. Those who know me best will tell you that I bring tenacity, a bias for action, and a Midwestern work ethic. If you hang with me long enough, you’ll also learn that I am a Summerfest fanatic!

If your organization wants to plug into high-energy leadership, let’s explore opportunities together! Feel free to reach out via LinkedIn, phone or email.

-Nikki