Kelly Nelson
About Kelly Nelson
Kelly Nelson serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Advisory Services at Spencer Stuart, bringing extensive experience from her previous roles at The Boston Consulting Group, where she held various leadership positions over a span of nearly two decades.
Current Role at Spencer Stuart
Kelly Nelson serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Advisory Services at Spencer Stuart. She has held this position since 2023, contributing to the firm's strategic direction and operational efficiency in Washington, DC. In her role, she focuses on enhancing advisory services and ensuring the integration of new capabilities within the organization.
Previous Experience at The Boston Consulting Group
Kelly Nelson worked at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in various roles from 2001 to 2023. She served as Managing Director and Partner from 2019 to 2023, where she was part of the executive leadership team in North America. Her responsibilities included setting strategy and operations, leading finance and strategy execution, and fostering collaboration across global operations. She also held positions as Chief of Staff, Senior Manager, and Senior Finance Director during her tenure.
Educational Background
Kelly Nelson has a robust educational background. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Psychology from Yale University, completing her studies from 1989 to 1993. She later pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, studying Finance and Management Science from 1999 to 2001.
Experience at Northrop Grumman
Before her extensive career at BCG, Kelly Nelson worked at Northrop Grumman from 1996 to 2001. In her role, she focused on communications and supported strategic changes as the aerospace industry transitioned to electronic and information programs. Her contributions helped facilitate the company's adaptation to evolving industry demands.
Key Contributions and Initiatives
Throughout her career, Kelly Nelson has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives and operational improvements. At BCG, she played a key role in accelerating the integration of new capabilities and talent globally. She partnered with leadership to develop new business lines and supported the launch of DigitalBCG, ensuring that innovative ideas reached the market effectively.