About Yvette M. Palmer

Yvette believed passionately in service and dedicated her life to helping others. As a Rotarian for over 20 years, Yvette held leadership roles of all kinds, chaired major fund-raising campaigns, and taught others by example and word how they could be of service.  As Rotary District 7430 Governor in 2002-2003, Yvette led the Polio Eradication Campaign, raising over $360,000. 

Beyond Rotary, Yvette served on the leadership boards of many area organizations: Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Kutztown University, Allentown Economic Development Commission, LEAP, United Way, and Phoebe Ministries. Her peers honored Yvette with the Community Partnership Award in 1995 for her leadership in economic development. 

In 1999, she was awarded the Lehigh County Athena Award, which was followed by a Spotlight Award from the East Penn Business Journal. Both of these honors were in recognition of her leadership and service to the community. In 2010, The Ben Franklin Technology Partners awarded her the Entrepreneurial Advocate Award. 

Yvette was a summa cum laude graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and received an MBA from Southern New Hampshire College . She was also a Certified Management Accountant.

If it was not for Yvette’s passion, drive, leadership, vision and energy, this 5K would not have been possible. 

Unfortunately, Yvette lost her battle with lymphoma in December 2011. We dedicate this race in honor of her and her passion to live Service Above Self.