Lindsey K. Nelson

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT LINDSEY K. NELSON

I am an experienced executive with 18 years dedicated to leadership roles within and for associations. In August 2024, I launched my consulting practice, Ethos Advisors, LLC, to provide strategic consulting, fractional CEO & COO support, and operational implementation services for associations and non-profits, guided by ethical leadership and a passion for optimizing systems and driving growth in the organizations I serve. Before starting Ethos Advisors, I served as Executive Director of the Themed Entertainment Association, where I helped guide the organization through challenging times. I led a comprehensive staffing transition and returned the organization to profitability within two years. I also formalized governance practices, updated bylaws, and introduced strategic and operational planning disciplines to position the association for future growth. Prior to my role with TEA, I was honored to receive the Association Forum’s 20••••21 Association Professional Achievement Award for my leadership in the profession. Earlier in my career, I held roles with various associations, including United Benefit Advisors (UBA) and the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), where I served as Vice President overseeing operations and non-dues programs and services, as well as Executive Director of the NAMA Foundation. These roles allowed me to lead cross-functional teams toward shared goals and develop innovative solutions to organizational challenges. I’m especially proud of raising over $5 million through a capital campaign that provided long-term sustaining revenue for the association. Since 2015, I’ve held the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and I was named a 2014 Forty Under 40 Award recipient by the Association Forum & USAE. Mentorship is also important to me, and I’ve been an active mentor, volunteer, presenter, and leader on various SIGs and committees. I hold a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, and I’m currently pursuing my Executive MBA at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. I live in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago with my husband and three children.