Matt Nielsen is a third-generation steward, director and shareholder for family-owned Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Inc. and Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International BV, Managing Director of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International LLC, and Managing Director of Nielsen Real Estate BV. The company’s headquarters is in Waukegan, Illinois with manufacturing facilities in Waukegan, Illinois and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
He currently operates as the Strategic Advisor for Corporate Development, overseeing the companies’ inorganic growth strategies via acquisition and investment. Over Matt’s 30+ years engaged in the family business, he also had responsibility at one time or another for the company’s worldwide operations, retail & food service sales, strategic initiatives, and European business unit.
Matt is a graduate of Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and holds two Certificates of Professional Achievement in Family Business #Leadership and #Governance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, Illinois.
Matt is currently a Director for Nielsen-Massey Vanillas; Director for family-owned Graziano Brothers, a 4th generation producer of specialty sausage products, specialty retailer and wholesaler; Director for Gibsons Restaurant Group, owner and operator of multiple distinguished restaurant concepts; Director for Family Enterprise USA; Vice President – Treasurer and Director of the Nielsen-Massey Foundation; Mentor and Panelist in Kellogg’s John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises; and a member and speaker at multiple Family Business Centers and conferences.
He is a past Executive in Residence in Kellogg’s John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises; Director and Officer of the Specialty Food Association and the Specialty Food Foundation; The French Pastry School’s Curriculum Advisory Board; the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing; and advisor for four specialty food startup companies – Droga Chocolates, Rare Bird Preserves, Two Fold granola and Sunday Night Foods specialty dessert sauces.
He now lives in Lake Bluff, Illinois with his wife, Amy, and their son and daughter. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the outdoors, boating, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding and cooking, particularly authentic, competition BBQ.
Boards, Memberships, Recognitions
