Leigh Palmer
Vice President, Google Public Sector
Building a team full of innovators was Leigh Palmer’s key to unlocking huge momentum in authorizations this past year as Google Public Sector continues bringing value to customers.
“Exceptional teams are built by design, not by chance,” Palmer said. “Focus on your people and culture, and they will lead you to success.”
That success includes Secret and Top Secret 100-plus services at FedRAMP High to offer secure and robust ways for government agencies to address the challenges they encounter in modern software development.
Plus, Google launched the Distributed Cloud app, a suite of hardware and software solutions designed to extend its cloud infrastructure and services to other locations, including data centers and the edge. This innovation enables organizations to use Google Cloud services within their own data centers or on-premises infrastructure. By doing so, it provides greater control over data location, addresses compliance concerns, and reduces latency for geographically dispersed users. The solution is particularly beneficial for industries with strict data sovereignty requirements or latency-sensitive applications.
Why Watch
In 2025, Palmer and her team are heavily focused on bringing the most advanced AI models to public sector institutions. One example is the upcoming launch of Gemini on Google Distributed Cloud for Secret and Top Secret workloads, which is a major leap for agencies leveraging Google Cloud technology and maintains strict data privacy and compliance requirements.
Google Public Sector CEO Karen Dahut said working with Palmer is “an absolute privilege.”
“Her leadership drives Google Public Sector’s technology strategy, ensuring we have the most innovative solutions to tackle our customers’ most complex challenges,” Dahut said. “Leigh’s tenacity and passion inspire us all as she consistently goes above and beyond, empowering our customers to achieve their missions.”
Fun fact: Palmer enjoys escaping to the mountains for hiking or snowboarding and has a passion for travel. She is also a theater enthusiast who values live performances. Above all, she treasures time with her children, whether sharing a casual dinner or embarking on an adventurous trip.