K. Palmer Hartl, MDiv graduated from Grinnell College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1968, where he received an MDiv, with a concentration in counseling and group dynamics. While in his first parish, Rev. Hartl began additional training in group work, team interaction, and Transactional Analysis. This eventually led to a career as a pastoral psychotherapist and leadership and management consultant to for profit and not for profit organizations.

In 1980, Rev. Hartl began working for Ernest and Young (formerly known as Arthur Young) as a member of their management and leadership training function. This career later led him to Philadelphia, Pa. where he worked as Senior Vice President of Training and Development for a bank holding company. In 1991, Rev. Hartl left the bank and began working as an independent consultant to many businesses and non-profit organizations.