KATHY NELSON

President & CEO
SHE/HER

Kathy Nelson is a strong believer in the economic, social and community-building benefits of sports. She works to promote Kansas City locally and nationally with the goal of attracting, retaining and facilitating sports events and organizations in the bi-state area.

Nelson has become an influential leader in Kansas City.  In recognition of her contribution, The Kansas City Star included Nelson on their 2020 list of the 50 Most Influential People in Kansas City Sports History, ranking her at #38 and making her one of only four women represented.  Prior to that, she had been named one of the 20 Most Influential Sports Figures in Kansas City placing her at #5 behind Clark Hunt (CEO/owner of the Kansas City Chiefs), Dayton Moore (Kansas City Royals general manager), Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City’s Coach/Technical Director) and David Glass (former owner of the Kansas City Royals). In 2020, Nelson was enshrined into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Kathy was selected to receive the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s ATHENA Leadership Award.  In 2018, Nelson received the Sports Tourism Executive/CEO of the Year award, a national honor.  She has also been named to Kansas City Business Journal’s Power 100 list (2018 & 2019) and was crowned Grand Champion at the Dancing with Kansas City Stars benefiting Cristo Rey.  In 2017, Kathy and the Sports Commission were honored as Sports Commission of the Year from Compete Magazine.  And in 2016, Nelson was selected to serve on the Sports ETA (formerly known as the National Association of Sports Commissions) Board of Directors.

Kathy is included in the book They Shoot…They Score!  by Dr. Patrick Rishe as a national leader in sports. Kathy was honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City with the John J. “Buck” O’Neil Diamond MVP Award for her dedication to the Boys and Girls Clubs, their sports programs and the youth they serve.

Nelson first joined the KC Sports Commission in August of 2010 as the WIN for KC Director then moved into the President & CEO of the KC Sports Commission in November 2011.  Prior to joining the KC Sports Commission staff, she was an active volunteer and member of WIN for KC and the KC Sports Commission for over ten years.  She was previously on the WIN for KC Advisory Board and has also been involved on the Women’s Sports Award Celebration committee.  In 2010 she served as chair for the event, which featured Billie Jean King.

Prior to the KC Sports Commission, Nelson served in senior management roles in marketing, sales and promotions at Time Warner Cable and Metro Sports and held a number of roles at FOX 4/WDAF-TV in Kansas City including creative services manager, producer, reporter and editor.

Along her career path, Nelson has received numerous Telly, Emmy and cable television awards for television production, specifically sports production.  She was the first woman to win a regional Emmy for the production of an NFL game in the early 2000’s.  She attended Truman State University.

Nelson continues to be a featured speaker for numerous organizations such as various local city chambers, rotary clubs, universities and other miscellaneous community events.  In her free time you can find Nelson volunteering in the community. She is married with two very active daughters who are also involved in volunteering and participating in their community.

Recognition

  • 2022 - MARC Regional Leadership Award

  • 2022 - Lieutenant Governor’s 2022 Women of Achievement

  • 2022 - TeamKC & KC Area Development Council MVP Award Winner

  • 2021 - KC Urban Youth Academy Diamond Award

  • 2021 - Ingram’s 250: The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Greater Kansas City (Also included in 2020, 2019, and 2018 lists)

  • 2020 - Enshrined into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

  • 2020 - KC Downtowners Jim Davis Achievement Award

  • 2020 - WeKC Women Executives - Kansas City Award by Ingram’s Magazine

  • 2020 - Named One of the 50 Most Influential People in Kansas City Sports History (#38)

  • 2020 - SportsETA All-Star Team

  • 2019 - ATHENA Leadership Award Winner

  • 2019 - Kansas City Business Journal’s Power 100 List (Also included in 2018 list)

  • 2018 - John J. “Buck” O’Neil Diamond MVP Award – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City

  • 2018 - ConnectSports Game Changer

  • 2018 - Included in They Shoot…They Score! by Dr. Patrick Rishe

  • 2018 - Sports Tourism Executive/CEO of the Year

  • 2018 - Dancing with the Kansas City Stars Grand Champion

  • 2017 - Sports Commission of the Year, Eighth Annual Compete Sports Diversity Award (Petey Award)

  • 2017 - Inducted in to the KC Business Journal Women Who Mean Business

  • 2017 - Named One of the 20 Most Influential Sports Figures in Kansas City (#5)

  • 2015 - Hotel Lodging Associations Hospitality Leadership Award

  • 2014 - Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award

  • 2013 - Winnetonka High School Hall of Fame Inductee

  • 2013 - KC Magazine Influential People: Who Make Kansas City a Great Place

  • 2004 - Alex George Volunteer of the Year Award, KC Sports Commission

  • Numerous Emmy & Telly television production awards

Professional and Civic Activities

  • AdventHealth Korn Ferry Championship Tournament Advisory Council (2021-Present)

  • Kansas City Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors (2019-Present)

  • Visit KC Board of Directors (2015-Present)

  • Convention Management Advisory Authority Board (2012-Present)

  • National Association of Sports Commissions Board of Directors

  • National College Basketball Hall of Fame Steering Committee

  • Chancellor’s Advisory Board for the UMKC Women’s Center

  • Kansas City Representative to the 2013 Xi-an City China Marathon

  • Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Keynote Speaker

  • Certified Kansas City Tourism Ambassador

  • Women Leaders in College Sports Member

  • National Association of Sports Commissions Member