About Us

Why “New Bayou”?

New Bayou was named in homage to the Gulf Coast region, a place where the founder’s family roots run deep. A place where to “get it out the mud” is a euphemism for creating success out of challenging circumstances through grit and self-reliance and whose vibrancy is a result of the confluence of many cultures. A place where fresh water meets salt water, creating conditions for life that couldn’t exist in either environment alone.

We are that meeting place. Where community, public, and industry “waters” mix. Where seemingly incompatible elements create unexpected abundance. Where things that would struggle in isolation can thrive together.

The bayou doesn’t try to turn salt water into fresh water. It honors both and creates space where both can flourish.

That’s what we do. We create the conditions where different stakeholders can coexist productively, each maintaining what makes them valuable while building something none could create alone.

Although New Bayou will focus mostly on place-based solutions specific to Gulf Coast communities, we also support value-aligned partners and projects across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you work outside the Gulf Coast?

Yes. While 60% of our work is Gulf Coast-focused, we work with values-aligned communities, agencies, and industry partners across the United States.

Do you work remotely or on-site?

Both. We design based on what your project needs. Some work is virtual, some requires in-person presence, most is hybrid.

What size organizations do you work with?

All sizes. From grassroots groups to large agencies to national corporations. We tailor our approach to your context and capacity.

How long does a typical engagement take?

It varies.

Training and capacity building: Can range from a 2-hour webinar or virtual training to a multiple-day workshop
Facilitation: Single session to multi-month series
Project coordination: 6 months to 3+ years

Do we have to do all three services?

No. Each service stands alone. Start where it makes sense for you.

How much does it cost?

Depends on services, scope, and duration. We provide transparent pricing after understanding your needs. We offer a sliding scale for community organizations.

Meet the Founder

Mary C Palmer

Founder & CEO

Mary C Palmer is an impact-driven strategist, trained mediator, and community builder who believes in the power of agency and collective action. As the Founder of New Bayou, she leads a unique blend of professional services and curated project support that connects community organizations, public agencies, and industry to solve complex, place-based challenges. Her work is rooted in a simple conviction: when we stop working in silos and start building together, solutions don’t just succeed, they endure.

Over nearly two decades, Mary has moved between worlds that rarely speak to one another. In New York City, she spent four years in civic engagement and nonprofit leadership, developing voter engagement programs, moderating electoral debates on live television, mentoring students through the Students Inside Albany program, and helping residents find their voice in public policy at the League of Women Voters and the Women’s City Club. In Fiji, she led the construction of rainwater-harvesting systems that yielded nearly 90,000 liters of water capacity across five remote villages while training community members in sustainable practices so they could maintain what was built long after she left. In Austin, she rose through the ranks at Austin Energy, managing community solar programs, organizing 25+ public education events in neighborhoods across the city, and presenting to elected officials and regulatory commissions. At the Smart Electric Power Alliance, she built the Energy Equity and Inclusion program from the ground up, helping to secure $2M+ in grants, training 60+ staff, and speaking at industry events monthly. She credits these diverse experiences for her multi-disciplinary fluency.

A recognized thought leader in energy and community engagement, Mary has delivered over 50 speaking engagements, keynotes, panels, workshops, and podcast appearances since 2019. She was named a Rising Star at the 2023 Women’s Energy Summit and has served as a speaker, moderator, trainer, or emcee at a myriad of industry events. She has been a guest on the Just Power podcast and served as a peer reviewer for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. She has also supported STEM community events with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, and trained youth through programs with Groundswell, Latinitas, and others. Mary has served on the boards of the Texas Solar Energy Society and the Austin Community College Engineering Technology Advisory Committee, as well as the City of Austin’s African American Resource Advisory Commission.

Mary holds an MBA from St. Edward’s University, a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University, a Certificate in Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Houston, and a Certificate in Renewable Energy Engineering Technology from Austin Community College. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring nature, art, and cooking.

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