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 30 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

With a Master’s degree in Human Resources and over three decades of experience, I bring both depth and breadth to leadership development and talent strategy. I have held the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification since 1999, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to strategic HR excellence.

As a certified Hogan Leadership Assessment practitioner and an ACE Coach Accelerator Advanced Practitioner, I apply science-based insights to help leaders grow with clarity and impact. I completed Lee Hecht Harrison’s Leadership Coaching Certification Program and hold the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coach Federation (ICF).

In my local professional community, I’ve served on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Wisconsin Association for Talent Development (SEWI-ATD), most recently as Past President, supporting the development of talent professionals across the region.

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