Erin Palmer brings over nine years of experience in marketing, fundraising, and non-profit event and program development to the OPEN MINDS team, where she offers a strategic mindset, creative marketing expertise, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work.

Before joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Palmer served as Events Director for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, where she led the planning and execution of national fundraising events with a combined revenue goal of $1.3 million. In this role, she forged and managed high-value partnerships with sponsors and vendors, developing customized sponsorship packages that enhanced partner visibility and aligned with organizational goals. Her ability to craft strategic marketing plans and deliver meaningful sponsor activations significantly increased partner brand awareness and donor engagement. She also oversaw the implementation of new event management software that streamlined operations and boosted ROI, while mentoring staff and volunteers to support events and partnership success.

Previously, Ms. Palmer was Development Coordinator of Events at the Audubon Nature Institute, where she helped produce major donor and member engagement events such as Zoo-To-Do and Scales and Ales. She played a key role in stewarding sponsor relationships, securing in-kind and financial contributions, and designing event marketing collateral to ensure partner recognition and impact. As liaison between internal departments and external stakeholders, she ensured cohesive messaging and seamless execution across all event touchpoints.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Palmer served as Development Coordinator for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), leading fundraising efforts for the Louisiana One Walks and One Hope Gala. She was responsible for cultivating donor relationships, managing event communications, overseeing social media strategy, and ensuring consistent sponsor branding across all platforms and materials.

Ms. Palmer holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana University, graduating cum laude. She also serves as the Philanthropy and Community Service Advisor for her alumnae chapter, reflecting her continued dedication to community impact and volunteer leadership.