Kim Nelson

Senior vice president, external relations
General Mills

Two years ago, General Mills was named the Most Reputable Company in America by the Reputation Institute and Forbes Media, ranking number one in the “citizenship” category. And while that kind of recognition comes about as part of a team effort, it is clear that senior vice president of external relations Kim Nelson—who also serves as president of the General Mills Foundation—is a key member of that team.

 Nelson assumed her role as senior vice president in September of 2010, and leadership of the foundation in June of 2011, and oversees the company’s global relationships with key external constituencies, including policy makers, non-governmental agencies, industry associations, and the media, leading the company’s corporate communications, government relations, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and philanthropic efforts. She has been a corporate officer of General Mills since 2000, serving as president of the snacks division before taking on her current role. She has 23 years of operating experience, leading a variety of brands including Cheerios, Wheaties, Nature Valley, Fiber One, Yoplait, Hamburger Helper, Old El Paso and Chex Mix. In 2010, Kim was named one of 75 Most Powerful Women in Business by Black Enterprise, and in 2007 Kim was named one of the Top 50 Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer Magazine.