Palmer has a Master of Religious Education from Duke University, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Education and Theology from Boston College and a Master of Social Work from Flinders University.

[3] She has previously had a teaching role at the Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University, (Dallas, Texas, USA).

[2] Palmer's roles within the Uniting Church in Australia have included as a counsellor with the Uniting Communities childhood sexual abuse counselling team, serving on Assembly Committees including the Uniting Education Reference Group, the Board of Coolamon College, the Assembly Commission for Mission, National Mission and Evangelism, and the Assembly Commission for Liturgy, member of the Assembly Standing Committee, the Formation, Education and Discipleship Working Group, the UCA's National Task Group responding to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Church Polity Reference Committee, and the Assembly Business Committee and Moderator of the Synod of South Australia (2013–2016)[4] Palmer was elected at the 14th Triennial Assembly on 16 July 2015 to become President-elect to commence her term as president in 2018.

[4] She was installed as president at the opening of the 15th Assembly, at a worship service at St Michael's Uniting Church, Melbourne.

Reverend Sharon Hollis, the moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, was elected to take on the role of President from the beginning of the sixteenth assembly to be held in Queensland in 2021,[5] however, due to COVID-19 the event was hosted there but held online.