Executive Director

Brenda Palm serves as Executive Director at Working in the Schools (WITS). Brenda joined WITS after serving as Executive Director of Parkways Foundation for more than seven years and as a consultant to Chicago Allies for Youth Success and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance. Brenda launched her career as a nonprofit development professional and executive with the Chicago Humanities Festival. She has a BA from Wheaton College (Illinois) and a MA in English specializing in fiction writing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Brenda's life-long love of reading and training in literary criticism drives her passion for furthering the impact of WITS.

Brenda joins the WITS team to work alongside the board and staff to develop and implement a strategic plan toward significant organizational growth. During her tenure at Parkways Foundation, the budget grew from $400,000 to more than $5 million through an integrated approach to development including building strategic partnerships and launching new city-wide program initiatives with corporate support.

Brenda and husband Eric live in the Wicker Park neighborhood where they also own a restaurant called Gunner's. In addition to being small business owners, they are active in members of the community. Brenda also serves as Vice President of the Board of The Goulden Touch, a charity launched by Bear's kicker Robbie Gould.

Contact Information
direct: 312.422.6201
email Brenda