MARITA PALMER
Conroe,TX
Summary
Labor and organizational development leader advancing worker and community outcomes through coalition building and leadership training. Directed multi-site recruitment and engagement, converting 475 of 1,050 prospects into members. Built sustainable leadership structures to support long-term organizational growth.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST / UNISERV DIRECTOR
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) / National Education Association (NEA)
, Texas
01.2011 - 01.2026
- Lead organizing, membership growth, leadership development, and advocacy initiatives supporting local education associations and public-school employees across multiple Texas school districts.
- Directed membership recruitment, retention, engagement, and dues-conversion initiatives to strengthen local associations and enhance organizational capacity.
- Converted 475 of 1,050 direct prospects into members, achieving a 45.2% conversion rate through targeted outreach, relationship building, and strategic recruitment.
- Develop strategic campaigns using workplace assessments, one-on-one outreach, surveys, membership data, and measurable performance goals.
- Recruit, train, and coach Association Representatives, member organizers, local officers, and emerging leaders to strengthen sustainable leadership structures.
- Coordinated multi-site campaigns with staff, member leaders, volunteers, public officials, and community stakeholders to drive collective action.
- Designed and facilitated leadership development, organizer training, member education, and train-the-trainer programs to empower grassroots leadership.
LEAD NATIONAL ORGANIZER
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) / AFL-CIO
Orlando, Florida
05.2007 - 01.2011
- Led and supported large-scale public-sector organizing initiatives designed to expand membership, worker participation, and organizational capacity.
- Organized Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, enhancing national advocacy for workers' collective bargaining rights.
- Planned and executed organizing drives, workplace outreach, Meet & Greets, Lunch & Learns, statewide rallies, membership education, and grassroots mobilization activities.
- Recruited, trained, and developed union leaders to conduct effective workplace organizing and member-engagement campaigns.
- Coordinated campaign communications, member education, leadership development, and mobilization activities, increasing engagement across multiple locations.
- Cultivated grassroots support for legislative and public-policy initiatives impacting workers and their families.
- Built relationships with elected officials and public leaders, including governors, senators, commissioners, and other governmental stakeholders.
- Drafted government-certified petitions used in ballot initiatives and public advocacy campaigns.
- Assisted employees with grievances and workplace matters under the Federal Labor Relations Authority procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - English/Education
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OHMaster of Science - Education/Instructional Design
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH/ Full Sail University, FloridaAssociate of Arts - Instructional Design, TechnologyDigital Marketing
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FLSkills
- Organizational and leadership development
- Membership recruitment and retention
- Grassroots mobilization
- Campaign management
- Strategic organizing and communication
- Digital organizing
- Data tracking and performance evaluation
- Training and facilitation
- Community partnerships and coalitions
- Union negotiation tactics
- Advocacy strategies
- Program assessment
- Program evaluation
- Advocacy strategies
- Strategic Communications
- Program Evaluation
- Program Evaluation
Personal Information
Title: Senior Advocacy, Organizing & Membership Growth Leader
HONORS
Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society, Gold Key Honor Society, University Scholar, National Collegiate Minority Leadership Award
INDUSTRY
- Labor Relations
- Organized Labor
- Public-Sector Advocacy
- Membership Organizations
SELECTED IMPACT
- Membership Growth: Converted 475 prospects into members from 1,050 direct contacts, producing a 45.2% conversion rate.
- Leadership Development: Recruited, trained, and coached member leaders, organizers, Association Representatives, and local officers.
- Campaign Leadership: Managed multi-site organizing and advocacy campaigns using measurable goals, performance tracking, and data-driven strategies.
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP IMPACT
- Organizational Development: Strengthened local union structures through leadership recruitment, Association Representative development, strategic planning, training, membership engagement, and organizational assessments.
- Advocacy & Coalition Building: Developed relationships with elected officials, school boards, community stakeholders, labor partners, and organizational allies to advance worker, educator, and community priorities.
- Metric-Driven Campaign Management: Used membership data, workplace assessments, surveys, campaign trackers, conversion goals, and performance measures to guide organizing strategies and evaluate results.
- Training & Capacity Building: Designed workshops, coaching programs, and train-the-trainer initiatives that equipped leaders and organizers to recruit, engage, communicate with, and mobilize members.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- AFL-CIO Organizing Institute
- Professional Organizing Training
Timeline
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST / UNISERV DIRECTOR
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) / National Education Association (NEA)
01.2011 - 01.2026
LEAD NATIONAL ORGANIZER
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) / AFL-CIO
05.2007 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science - English/Education
Youngstown State University
Master of Science - Education/Instructional Design
Youngstown State University
Associate of Arts - Instructional Design, TechnologyDigital Marketing
Full Sail University