Jen Nelson

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Ms. Nelson leads MEDC’s organizational operations, including development and implementation of  MEDC’s strategic plan as well as MEDC’s continuous improvement and organizational performance  initiatives. In addition to leading MEDC’s strategic plan initiatives, Ms. Nelson will spearhead  organizational strategy and execution as well as key outreach initiatives, working directly with the MEDC  Executive Committee, the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, the Collaborative Development Council, the  Michigan Economic Development Foundation, Business Leaders for Michigan, and other stakeholders  statewide. 

Ms. Nelson’s return to MEDC will build on 12 years of previous experience within the organization,  serving in several leadership roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Business Development  Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Legal Counsel. Ms. Nelson returns to MEDC from Business Leaders  for Michigan, where she served as Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Development for the  past four years. In that role, Nelson focused on issues around K-12 education, workforce development  and economic development throughout Michigan. Most notably, Nelson helped establish Launch  Michigan, an unprecedented partnership of business, education, labor, philanthropy, civic leaders, and  parents with a goal to create a high-quality, PreK-12 student-centered system. Earlier in her career,  Nelson practiced as an attorney in Dykema Gossett’s public finance corporate group.  

Ms. Nelson graduated from Northern Michigan University, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of  Science degree, Speech Communication. She received her law degree from Michigan State University - College of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude