Directory Profile

Jennifer Nelson provides economic development training to local governments and state agencies as well as a variety of professional associations. She manages and develops training programs for authority board members in governance and leadership development, economic development, leading high-performing boards, visioning, planning, community engagement, financial management and governance, and moral and ethical leadership. In addition, Jennifer assists local communities in strategic planning related to economic development.

Prior to joining the Institute of Government, Jennifer was the director for existing industry and regional recruitment with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). She oversaw regional project managers in Georgia’s 12 state service delivery regions and assisted with existing industry expansion and regional recruitment projects. Jennifer joined GDEcD in 1998 as a regional project manager in Middle Georgia after having served as the director of economic development for Metter and Candler County, Georgia.

She is an active member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and a graduate of Leadership Macon as well as being selected as one of the 2010 “Georgia’s 40 Under 40” honorees by Georgia Trend magazine.