Chris Palmer is an author, speaker, wildlife filmmaker, and professor. He serves on the Board of Montgomery Hospice, is writing a book on death and dying, is a hospice volunteer, and runs an “aging well” group for the Bethesda Metro Area Village.

During his filmmaking career, he swam with dolphins and whales, came face-to-face with sharks and Kodiak bears, camped with wolf packs, and waded hip-deep through Everglade swamps.

For over thirty-five years, he spearheaded the production of more than 300 hours of original programming for prime-time television and the IMAX film industry, work that won him and his colleagues many awards, including two Emmys and an Oscar nomination. He has worked with Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Jane Fonda, Ted Turner, and many other celebrities. His IMAX films include Whales, Wolves, Dolphins, Bears, Coral Reef Adventure, and Grand Canyon Adventure.

He has authored nine books, the latest of which is Finding Meaning and Success: Living a Fulfilled and Productive Life, published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2021. All proceeds from Chris’s books go to fund scholarships for students at American University.

Starting in 2004, Chris served on American University’s full-time faculty as Distinguished Film Producer in Residence until his retirement in 2018. While at AU, he founded and directed the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at the School of Communication. He also created and taught a popular class called Design Your Life for Success.

Chris and his wife Gail have lived in Bethesda, Maryland, for nearly 50 years and raised three daughters. They now have nine grandchildren. Chris was a stand-up comic and has advanced degrees from London and Harvard. He has jumped out of helicopters, worked on an Israeli kibbutz, and was a high school boxing champion. Chris is currently learning to juggle, draw, dance, play tennis, and play the piano. He loves to stand on his hands for exercise and he keeps a daily gratitude journal.

His website is www.ChrisPalmerOnline.com.