Jessa Nelson

Jessa Nelson is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship. With a wealth of marketplace experience in healthcare and residential management, licensing and regulation, and entrepreneurship and strategy, Jessa brings a unique practitioner perspective to her teaching. Jessa spent her early career managing health care facilities until 2008, when she built and licensed her own residential healthcare company.

Jessa’s research has focused on the intersection of business ethics, culture, and human resource management in healthcare settings, with particular emphasis on preventing burnout and avoidable turnover. She has a PhD in Business Administration, supported by a Master’s in Organizational Leadership. She is a veteran with eleven years of service in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

Before her role at Carlson in Fall 2026, Jessa served as the Dean of the School of Business at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, where she guided the school through strategic launches and accreditations for eight years. Jessa was the 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching award.