Charles Evans
Then-President
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Invited and hosted Evans with Drake University and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Moderated a business-leader meeting and a public economic update.
Event & recordingConversation Leader.
Public-policy and economic discussions with elected officials, business leaders, and the people shaping Iowa.
Selected conversations
Sen. Chuck Grassley
United States senator from Iowa
Led a Civic Connect conversation on Senator Grassley’s path into public service and his work with Iowa communities.
Event recap & photo sourceFuture Governor of Iowa
Conversations with Rob Sand and Zach Lahn
Conversations with the future Governor of Iowa—whoever that ends up being.
Rob Sand event & photo sourceJune 2025Civic Connect program
Tom Vilsack
Former presidential Cabinet member · Two-time U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
The Civic Connect series, chaired by Palmer, featured Vilsack, a Cabinet member under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, in a discussion drawing on his experience as Iowa governor, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and a global food-policy leader.
Chamber event record2025Civic Connect · Moderator
Mayor Russ Trimble
Mayor of West Des Moines
Moderated a discussion on West Des Moines’ growth, economic development, and plans for the city’s future.
Read the Chamber’s recapJuly 2022Moderator
Regional infrastructure leaders
Greater Des Moines Partnership forum
Moderated a discussion on infrastructure, business needs, and the choices facing local governments.
Forum recapThese are selected public examples. Palmer also regularly hosts private conversations, roundtables, interviews, and discussions with elected officials and policy leaders, alongside clients and on their behalf.
Speaker & conversation leader biographyLeadership in practice.
Community philanthropy, business, professional associations, and public service.
Longstanding service
President
West Des Moines Community Foundation
Led the Foundation during its Shade Crusade partnership with Microsoft and the City of West Des Moines, supporting residential tree planting.
See the community partnershipNearly a decade of board service
Treasurer
West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
Executive Committee member supporting governance and financial stewardship.
2026 board announcementCivic Connect Committee
Chair & Conversation Leader
Civic Connect Government Affairs Committee
Chairs the committee and leads most discussions with elected officials and candidates.
See Civic Connect in practiceNow Past President
President, 2025–26
Iowa Society of Association Executives
Led Iowa’s professional community for association executives; continues to serve as Past President.
ISAE leadershipCollege of Arts & Sciences
Council Chair
Drake University
Chairs the College of Arts & Sciences National Advisory Council.
National Advisory CouncilEight years of state service
Board Member
Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy
Appointed by Governors Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds, with confirmation by the Iowa Senate.
Public service backgroundSpeaker & conversation leader biography
Robert Lathan Palmer is an attorney at Nyemaster Goode, a Certified Association Executive, and a moderator of public-policy and economic conversations. He hosted and moderated Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans’ 2022 visit to Des Moines and has led Civic Connect programs with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, and West Des Moines Mayor Russ Trimble. He served as an advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago from 2022–2024. Palmer chairs the West Des Moines Chamber’s Civic Connect Committee, serves as the Chamber’s Treasurer following nearly a decade on its board, and is the longtime president of the West Des Moines Community Foundation. He served as president of the Iowa Society of Association Executives in 2025–26 and now serves as Past President. He is executive director of the Iowa Business Energy Coalition and chairs Drake University’s College of Arts & Sciences National Advisory Council. Previously, he was general counsel and director of government affairs for the Iowa League of Cities. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from Drake University.
Supporting records are linked beside each example.