Natalie J. Nelson

About Natalie J. Nelson

For more than two decades, I’ve built and scaled organizations at the intersection of marketing, technology, and mission-driven growth across corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments. Whether leading digital transformation for a global manufacturer, expanding statewide impact for a nonprofit, or building new ventures from the ground up, one truth has held constant:Transformation starts with people, not technology.I’ve founded nonprofits and led both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, giving me a unique perspective on what it takes to grow sustainably—from scrappy startups to multi-million-dollar enterprises. My work centers on aligning people, platforms, and purpose so teams can do the best work of their careers.Throughout my career, I’ve built and coached high-performing teams that deliver measurable, lasting impact:Ascension Health: Unified four healthcare entities into a single digital ecosystem, increasing engagement 900% and driving 40% growth in patient acquisition while building a rockstar, scalable team.AriensCo: Led a $34M enterprise eCommerce transformation, drove 93% year-over-year online growth, and launched the organization’s first Digital Engagement Center and agile marketing practices.Women in Technology Wisconsin: Reversed a five-figure deficit into a surplus through strategic partnerships, statewide expansion, and digital modernization, while building a thriving community that supports and advances women in tech.Today, I’m focused on MarTech, digital strategy, AI-driven innovation, and community leadership, helping organizations simplify complexity, strengthen their teams, and unlock their next stage of growth.If you’re scaling a mission, building a digital strategy, or transforming a team, I’d love to connect.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Women In Technology Wisconsin Wit

   May 2023 — Present · Appleton, WI, US

   As Executive Director at Women in Technology Wisconsin, I drive transformative growth and digital innovation, empowering women in technology through strategic leadership and data-driven decision making.My role focuses on: • Leading Growth Strategies: Spearheading comprehensive strategic planning and digital transformation initiatives. • Enhancing Operational Efficiency: Establishing robust governance frameworks that improved operational efficiency by 30% and enhanced collaboration across a 40-member board. • Optimizing Marketing with AI: Driving AI-powered marketing strategies that achieved a 40% increase in content efficiency and 20% growth in engagement. • Forging Strategic Partnerships: Building key alliances with technology corporations to secure funding and expand market penetration. • Driving Digital Engagement: Implementing scalable digital engagement programs and data-driven strategic frameworks to continuously elevate organizational performance.Beyond these accomplishments, I am dedicated to leading a holistic digital transformation strategy that positions WIT Wisconsin as a forward-thinking, agile organization. By continuously integrating emerging technologies and leveraging deep data insights, I am committed to cultivating operational excellence and shaping a dynamic future for the tech industry—ensuring that we not only address today’s challenges but also set the stage for long-term innovation and success.

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Organizational Leadership; Marketing

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Bachelor of Science in Business with Consumer Affairs Emphasis, Marketing

  2000 — 2004

Skills

• Sales Operations
• Customer Satisfaction
• New Business Development
• Account Management
• Business Intelligence
• Social Networking
• Social Media Marketing
• Marketing
• Analysis
• Social Media
• Time Management
• Program Management
• Non-Profits
• Management
• Project Management
• Direct Marketing
• Analytics
• Public Relations
• Business Strategy
• Sales
• Competitive Analysis
• Selling
• Start-Ups
• Crm
• Advertising
• Sem
• Budgets
• Brand Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Fundraising
• Marketing Strategy
• Leadership
• Nonprofits
• Marketing Communications
• Facebook
• Strategic Communications
• Business Planning
• Online Advertising
• Strategic Planning
• Project Planning