Carlson | 701 Carlson Parkway, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305 | Phone: 763-212-5000 | Fax: 763-212-5700 | mnelson@carlsoncom 
 

No one living in Minnesota should fail to recognize the name of Marilyn Carlson Nelson, the chair of Carlson, a global group of companies providing travel, hotel, restaurant, cruise, and marketing services in 150 countries. Forbes magazine has regularly named her one of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.” In 2006, she was named one of “America’s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, and in 2007 Ethisphere Magazine named her one of the “100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics.” She is on the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council and in 2004 co-chaired the Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She serves on the boards of ExxonMobil Corporation, the Mayo Clinic Foundation, and until recently, she served as CEO of the company—perhaps best-known for its Radisson and TGIF brands, that employs about 190,000 people. 


Born: 1939 in Minneapolis

Spouse: Dr. Glen Nelson

Children: Diana, Curtis, Juliet (who died in an auto accident in 1986), and Wendy

Education: BA international economics and minor in theater, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Career History: Carlson Companies: Chair, 1998 to present, Carlson; co-chair and co-CEO, 2000 to present, Carlson Holdings, Inc.; CEO, 1998 to 2008, Carlson; president, 1998 to 2003, Carlson; COO, 1997 to 2003, Carlson; co-chair, 1994 to 2003, Carlson Wagonlit Travel; vice chair, 1991 to 2000, Carlson Holdings, Inc.; board of directors, 1990 to present, Carlson; senior vice president, 1989 to 1991, Carlson Holdings, Inc.; director of community relations,1968 to 1988. Carlson activities: Member of Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Academy of Management, and American Sociological Association

Outside Activities and Awards: Serves on the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council and in 2004 co-chaired the forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She has chaired the federal advisory boards of the National Women’s Business Council and the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. She is also a member of the World Travel and Tourism Council and the Business Roundtable, and is a co-founder of the Women Leaders Program of the World Economic Forum. In 2006, she was invested in the French Légion d’Honneur for her exemplary service to humanity. She also is a member of the Royal Order of the North Star First Class, presented by the King and Queen of Sweden, and the Order of the White Rose, Officer First Class, presented by the President of Finland.Outside her industries, she serves on the boards of ExxonMobil Corporation, the Mayo Clinic Foundation, and the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy, and she is a life director for the Minnesota Orchestra.