Nicola Palmer

Nicola (Nicki) Palmer is a distinguished technology executive with over 30 years of experience in various leadership positions. Nicki began her career at Bell Atlantic, a Verizon predecessor company, in 1990 and has held a number of leadership positions in engineering, operations, and technology supporting advanced data and wireless products across customer segments. She has served as Verizon’s Chief Engineering Officer as well as the Chief Technology Officer of Verizon Wireless where she led the 4G and 5G network deployments. As Chief Product Development Officer, she led the exploration of new technologies and creation of products and platforms that solve problems for individuals, enterprises, and society.

Nicki is widely recognized as an influential leader in technology and telecommunications. Her awards include being named one of the Most Influential Women in Wireless, a Top 10 Women in Telcom, a Top 10 5G People to Watch, a Top 100 CIO/CTO Leader in STEM, a Top 10 Leader in Mobile Diversity Equity and Inclusion, a POWER Woman by Moves Magazine, and highlighted as a Female Distruptor by Authority Magazine.

Nicki has worked for decades to promote education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), especially for women. She serves on the board of directors for the National Academy Foundation and chairs its STEM Advisory Committee with the mission of providing more opportunities for high school students to be college, career, and future ready. She also serves on the advisory board of BreakThroughTech, an initiative of Cornell Tech that works at the intersection of academia and industry to propel more women and underrepresented communities into technology degrees and careers. Nicki is a member of Penn State’s Corporate Advisory Council as well as a board member of the Global Women in Telecom Network. She also serves on the board of nVent Electric plc and the Strategic Advisory Board of Intelsat.

Nicki earned a BS in industrial engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. She is a proud wife, mother of three, and breast cancer survivor.