Michelle Cook Leads Palacio's New Learning and Development Group

May 7, 2025 - Palacio Collaborative is pleased to announce Michelle Cook as the company’s first Director of Learning and Development (L&D). 

Since joining Palacio, Michelle has been hard at work building out this new Group to implement targeted learning and development programs across the organization. These role-specific L&D initiatives support Palacio's rapidly expanding Cost Management and Administrative Groups while maintaining consistent service quality and technical expertise during growth phases.

Michelle has brought more than 30 years of diverse experience across retail, banking, and healthcare sectors to Palacio. In her new role, Michelle is spearheading employee development initiatives that align with Palacio's strategic goals while enhancing the firm's remote work culture. 

"I'm thrilled to join Palacio and bring my L&D experience to the AEC  industry," said Cook. "I look forward to creating development initiatives that will help our team members reach their full potential while supporting our company's remote work model and business objectives."

Palacio is committed to staying ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving industry.  

“Adaptability is a core company value and it’s essential to our success,” said Michael D. Palacio, President and Chief Cost Estimator. “I’m really pleased where Michelle is leading our L&D Group. This initiative is unique for a company our size, but our people are our business, so workforce development is critical.”

Cook is a seasoned project manager and learning consultant with expertise in performance management and talent development. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated success in streamlining processes, delivering impactful training programs, and providing coaching that drives business results.

Cook holds a Master's degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning, along with Project Management Professional (PMP) and Scrum Master certifications.

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About Palacio Collaborative

Palacio Collaborative is a minority-owned full-service construction cost estimating firm headquartered in Atlanta, GA with offices in NC, SC, TX, and LA. Strategically located, we provide quality estimating nationwide in a variety of markets. Our primary services include conceptual cost modeling, budget verification, cost management, and value management. Through innovative tools and proactive collaboration, our value-added services assist to develop accurate project budgets, manage cost, preserve the integrity of the design, and deliver a project with the highest quality and value.