Brad Palmer is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He is the Executive Chair of Palm Ventures, a family investment company he founded. His work spans various industries, including education, business software, energy, healthcare, and affordable housing. Additionally, Mr. Palmer is the Board Chair of Project Drawdown, a globally recognised initiative focused on reversing climate change using market-based solutions.
Early Career and Entrepreneurship
Brad Palmer’s career began in entrepreneurship while he was still a university student. He launched a business in the Midwest, which he later sold successfully. His passion for transformative businesses led him to work with James D. Wolfensohn, Inc., where he collaborated with renowned figures like Jim Wolfensohn and Paul Volcker on strategic acquisitions for Fortune 100 companies.
Founding Palm Ventures
Palm Ventures was established with a mission to invest in and develop businesses that drive social impact. Under Mr. Palmer’s leadership, the firm has founded or acquired over 50 companies across diverse sectors, including:
- Education – Inquiry-based STEM curriculum for K-12 schools, education technology, and career-oriented colleges and universities.
- Business Software & Services – Investments in innovative tech solutions for businesses.
- Healthcare & Wellness – Supporting initiatives aimed at improving public health.
- Energy & Sustainability – Promoting eco-friendly and renewable energy solutions.
- Affordable Housing – Developing strategies to make housing more accessible to underserved communities.
- Manufacturing & Robotics – Advancing automation and productivity-enhancing technologies.
Palm Ventures’ Latest Initiative: Venture Studios
Palm Ventures’ latest and most ambitious project is the launch of venture studios in nine U.S. cities. These studios are located in economically disadvantaged areas and are designed to incubate impact-driven businesses that address societal challenges while creating high-quality, well-paying jobs. The goal is to empower communities through entrepreneurship, fostering sustainable economic growth.
Leadership at Project Drawdown
As Board Chair of Project Drawdown, Brad Palmer plays a pivotal role in guiding the most comprehensive plan to combat climate change. Project Drawdown identifies and promotes 100 effective, market-based solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reversing global warming.
His commitment to climate action has led him to shift his focus almost entirely to sustainability, affordable housing, and workforce training, ensuring that disenfranchised communities benefit from economic progress.
Contributions to Save the Children
Brad Palmer has had a long-standing involvement with Save the Children, having served on its board for 18 years. In 2009, he was appointed to the founding board of Save the Children International (SCI), where he played a crucial role in merging 29 independent national Save the Children organisations into a single global entity headquartered in Geneva and London.
Key Achievements at Save the Children:
- Chaired the Governance Committee that oversaw the merger.
- Led the Board Nominations Committee, recruiting SCI’s first CEO and senior leadership team.
- Worked with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Egon Zehnder to execute the operational merger.
- Helped establish a $2 billion annual organisation operating across 120 countries.
- Personally visited and volunteered in over 25 countries, including conflict zones, to assess and improve humanitarian efforts.
In 2017, after reaching the board’s term limits, Mr. Palmer rotated off Save the Children but continues to support humanitarian initiatives.
Areas of Focus Today
Over the past year, Brad Palmer has delegated day-to-day management of Palm Ventures to focus on:
- Climate change initiatives through Project Drawdown.
- Affordable housing solutions to combat rising housing costs.
- Workforce training programmes to address skill gaps and increase wages in marginalised communities.
Trends and Data: The Impact of Socially Responsible Investing
Brad Palmer’s investment philosophy aligns with the growing trend of impact investing, which has been gaining momentum globally. According to the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN):
- The impact investing market is valued at over $1.2 trillion.
- Sustainable investments have outperformed traditional assets over the past five years.
- More than 70% of investors believe impact-driven companies yield stronger long-term financial returns.
With climate change and social equity concerns at the forefront of global discussions, leaders like Brad Palmer are setting the standard for ethical and transformative investing.
TL;DR
Brad Palmer is the Executive Chair of Palm Ventures and Board Chair of Project Drawdown.
- He has founded or acquired 50+ companies across education, healthcare, energy, and more.
- Leads Palm Ventures’ new initiative: launching venture studios in 9 U.S. cities to drive social impact.
- Played a key role in merging 29 Save the Children organisations into a single global entity.
- Focuses on climate change, affordable housing, and workforce training.
FAQs
1. What is Brad Palmer known for?
Brad Palmer is known for founding Palm Ventures, investing in impact-driven companies, and serving as Board Chair of Project Drawdown, a leading climate change initiative.
2. What industries has Brad Palmer invested in?
Mr. Palmer has invested in education, business software, healthcare, energy, affordable housing, robotics, and workforce development.
3. What is Palm Ventures’ latest initiative?
Palm Ventures is launching venture studios in 9 U.S. cities to create businesses that solve major social issues while providing good-paying jobs.
4. What role did Brad Palmer play in Save the Children?
He was instrumental in merging 29 national organisations into Save the Children International, recruiting leadership, and structuring its $2 billion annual operations.
5. What is Project Drawdown?
Project Drawdown is an organisation focused on identifying and promoting 100 market-based solutions to reverse climate change.
6. What are Brad Palmer’s key focus areas today?
His primary focus areas include climate change initiatives, affordable housing, and workforce training.
7. How has impact investing grown?
Impact investing is now a $1.2 trillion industry, with sustainable investments outperforming traditional financial assets over the past five years.
Brad Palmer’s legacy continues to shape the future of sustainable investments and social entrepreneurship, ensuring that businesses not only generate profits but also contribute to a better, fairer world.