Position Title
Operations & Events Manager
Rhanee Palma leads global convening strategy and operations at the UC Davis Air Quality Research Center (AQRC), where she advances science-to-policy impact through inclusive, interdisciplinary events. In parallel, she is a recognized leader in the global meetings industry, consulting on sales strategy, destination development, and event growth for leading hotels, destination marketing organizations, and mission-driven companies.
Palma was the first Filipina American to hold a C-suite position at Visit Oakland and brings over a decade of award-winning experience across corporate, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Her portfolio spans large-scale esports tournaments to research conferences that democratize environmental data and support community-led air quality policy, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Renowned for her innovation in sustainable and equity-centered event design, Palma specializes in hotel and destination partnerships, strategic curation, and delivering high-impact events within complex budget environments. She is a dynamic connector and systems thinker, committed to broadening access, fostering global collaboration, and amplifying the role of conferences in driving environmental and social change.