Matt Nielsen

About Matt Nielsen

Matt Nielsen is a third-generation steward and shareholder for family-owned Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Inc, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International LLC, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International BV, and Nielsen Real Estate BV. He is passionate about the impact family businesses have worldwide and mentoring start up entrepreneurs.He currently operates as the Strategic Advisor for Corporate Development, overseeing the companies’ inorganic growth strategies via acquisition. Over Matt\'s 30+ years engaged in the family business, he also had responsibility at one time or another for the company’s worldwide operations, retail & food service sales, strategic initiatives, and European business unit.He is currently a Director for Nielsen-Massey Vanillas; Director for family-owned Graziano Brothers, a 4th generation producer of specialty sausage products & specialty retailer; Director for family-owned Gibsons Restaurant Group, a 2nd generation operator of multiple distinguished restaurant concepts; Director for Family Enterprise USA; Vice President – Treasurer and Director of the Nielsen-Massey Foundation; Executive in Residence, Mentor and Panelist in Kellogg’s John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises; and a member and speaker at the Loyola University Family Business Center.Over the years, Matt and the family enterprises have been recognized for their leadership and impact by receiving Loyola University Family Business Center\'s Small Family Business of the Year Award and their Dean\'s Award; Gourmet News magazine’s top \"20 Under 40\" in the specialty food industry; Wayland Academy’s Alumni Achievement Award; and Matt was inducted into the Specialty Food Association\'s Hall of Fame. He is a past Director and Officer of the Specialty Food Association; the Specialty Food Foundation; The French Pastry School’s Curriculum Advisory Board; the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing; and an advisor for four specialty food startup companies – Droga Chocolates, Rare Bird Preserves, Two Fold granola and Sunday Night Foods specialty dessert sauces.Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and holds two Certificates of Professional Achievement in Family Business #Leadership and #Governance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, Illinois.Matt lives in Lake Bluff, Illinois with his family. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the outdoors, boating, skiing/snowboarding, riding motorcycles and cooking, particularly authentic, competitive BBQ.

Experience

1. Member Board of Directors

   Gibsons Restaurant Group

   Feb 2026 — Present

   As a Board Director at Gibsons Restaurant Group, I play a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction of a multi-generational family business specializing in the operation of multiple distinguished restaurant concepts. I work closely with the executive team to optimize operations, evaluate new concepts & locations, evaluate acquisition opportunities and drive sustainable growth.

Education

• Kellogg Executive Education

  Certificate of Professional Achievement, Organizational Leadership

  2018

• Kellogg Executive Education

  Certificate of Professional Achievement, Executive Management

• Gettysburg College

  BA, International Management

  1990 — 1994

Skills

• Project Management
• Food Safety
• Foodservice Distribution
• Key Account Management
• Food & Beverage
• Gourmet
• Sales Operations
• Customer Service
• International Sales
• Income Statement
• Recipes
• Strategic Planning
• New Business Development
• Retail
• Food Industry
• Business Planning
• Operations Management
• Cooking
• Manufacturing Operations Management
• Food Processing
• Culinary Skills
• Budgeting
• Food Manufacturing
• Forecasting
• Food Service
• Product Marketing
• Food Preparation
• Product Development
• Sales
• Sales Management
• Lean Manufacturing
• Public Relations
• Flavors
• Business Strategy
• Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Operations
• Public Speaking
• Marketing
• Haccp
• Purchasing