In 1994, at the age of 21, Raquel Palmer joined KPS Capital Partners’ predecessor firm at a time when the staff consisted of only a few professionals., Working hand in hand with the founding partners, she was present when KPS raised its first institutional private equity fund. Since then, Palmer has worked to build KPS into a global firm that has completed over 60 controlling investments through four institutional investment funds.

Palmer has had a big hand in many of those investments. She currently sits on the board of directors of several KPS portfolio companies, including American & Efird, C&D Technologies, Chassis Brakes International Group, DexKo Global, Electrical Components International, Expera Specialty Solutions, Heritage Home Group, International Equipment Solutions, TaylorMade Golf and Winoa. She has also sat on the board of 23 other companies that were previously part of the KPS portfolio.

But the middle-market manufacturing specialist denies that her work at KPS is just about key deals. As important as they are, Palmer says she is proudest of her role in helping to build the firm from the ground up.

Palmer earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University. She was also on Mergers & Acquisition's Most Influential Women in Middle Market M&A list in 2017.