Vivian Jenkins Nelsen is the co-founder (with her late husband George) of INTER-RACE, a diversity think tank located at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. She is nationally recognized as a diversity practitioner, trainer, planner and researcher. Vivian speaks to thousands of people each year on leadership, change, and diversity.

Nelsen serves as a consultant to CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies. Corporate clients include United Health Group, The St. Paul Companies, The Federal Reserve Bank, The Mayo Clinic, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics. She worked with senior executives of major international companies, such as Scandinavian Airlines at the University of Lund Business School in Sweden. She serves many organizations as a planner, facilitator, trainer and board member. Nelsen teaches and publishes on group facilitation, diversity, conflict and grief.

Nelsen was a Bush Leadership Fellow at Harvard University.

Nelsen is the former Director of Administration at the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Vivian served as Director of Human Relations Training for The University of Minnesota and Hamline University.

Nelsen has authored eleven books, many articles and essays. She is co-editor of the widely acclaimed book, Ethnic Variations in Dying, Death and Grief: Diversity in Universality.

The Carter and Reagan White Houses invited Nelsen to provide her expertise on urban policies; President Ford recognized her resettlement work for Southeast Asian refugees

Governor Jesse Ventura recognized her work with the Governor’s Commendation for Building Bridges Between People.

Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton declared May 9, 2000 Vivian Jenkins Nelsen Day in Minneapolis.

Nelsen served as Co-President of the MN League of Women Voter’s Board. She was Secretary of the MN Science Museum Board and a member of the board of the MacPhail Center for Music. She is past board president of Search Institute and served on the Guthrie Theatre Board. Nelsen was the founding chair of the Minnesota Legislature’s Academic Excellence. Foundation and the Minnesota Chapter of the Political Congress of Black Women.

• U.S. Congressional Record Recognition as Woman Leader in Minnesota

• Governor’s Commendation for “Building Bridges Between People” (Gov. Jesse Ventura)

• “Vivian Jenkins Nelsen Day,” City of Minneapolis (Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton)

• Public Citizen of the Year Award, National Association of Social Workers, MN Chapter

• Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Women in Business Awards—Industry Leader

• The International Leadership Institute’s “Rekindling the Flame Award” for individuals and initiatives working to eliminate social injustice and intolerance.

• Luther Seminary Award for “Race, Church and Change”

• The Alexandrine Medal for Outstanding Contributions to the Education Profession, College of St. Catherine

• Distinguished Achievement Award, The Minnesota Association for Counseling and Development

• Bush Mid-Career Leadership Fellow, Harvard University. Bush Foundation, Mpls., MN

• Distinguished Alumna Award, Dana College, Blair, NE

• People to Watch of Excellence, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine

• Distinguished Service Award, Minnesota State Supreme Court, Jury Standards Committee

• Distinguished Service Award, Minnesota State Supreme Court, Judicial Standards Committee

• The Everyday People Role Model Award, Hennepin County Prevention Center

• Presidential Letter of Commendation for Refugee Resettlement (President Ford)

• White House Invitation, Presidential Consultation on Urban Policies (President Carter)

• White House Invitation, Presidential Consultation on International Mid-Decade Women’s Year Conference (President Carter)

• White House Invitation, Presidential Consultation with Black Women Leaders (President Reagan)

• State of Minnesota Trade and Cultural Mission to Egypt (Guest of Mrs. Jehan Sadat)

• Ramsey County Women's Political Caucus Founding Feminist Award

Phone: 612-867-2244

Email: vjn@inter-raceinstitute.org

Linkedin: Vivian Jenkins Nelson

Website: https://thehypatiagroupinc.com/