About me

Ellen Nielsen was the Chief Data Officer at Chevron, focusing on creating a data-oriented culture partnered with value chain thinking. A multi-disciplinary leader, Nielsen has over 30 years of global experience as an executive in IT, Digital, Data, Procurement, and Supply Chain. She has worked with industry leaders in Oil and Gas, FMCG, Automotive, Manufacturing, Retail, and Banking and Insurance.

Define Your Roots

In childhood, I sought independence early, wanting to join the neighborhood gang. Excluded from a treehouse adventure for being unable to whistle, I questioned arbitrary rules. Kindergarten wasn't friendly. My friend and I would occasionally skip going inside, wait outside till it was time to go back home. I sold hand-collected grapevine snails. With the earned money I could buy candy in the convenience store.

At the farewell party, the boys received a ship while the girls received a clown. I questioned the reasoning behind this seemingly arbitrary rule and wondered why boys and girls were treated differently. High school brought sports success, challenging math experiences, and an English teacher's discouragement, fostering my belief in individualized learning.

Earning My First Money

In kindergarten, I sold grapevine snails—a delicacy—in the village.
Beliefs

I believe anyone can learn anything, setbacks are learning opportunities, taking risks yields rich experiences, teamwork achieves great things, and success is self-conditioned.
Why I Believe

Learning is a universal superpower that opens up endless possibilities. Lacking a university degree, I followed my curiosity, seeking knowledge and experience everyday to my 'backpack'. Success blooms from passion and resilience, not just degrees.

What problems I want to solve?

I want to advise businesses to generate growth and value by providing strategic guidance and networking opportunities.
I want to be a servant leader to help creating careers by empowering and mentoring others to achieve their full potential.
I want to help solving problems with an innovative mindset by embracing curiosity and lifelong learning.
I want to boost women’s confidence, promote diversity in teams, and shape a positive impact through AI.

What problems I want to solve?

I want to advise businesses to generate growth and value by providing strategic guidance and networking opportunities.
I want to be a servant leader to help creating careers by empowering and mentoring others to achieve their full potential.
I want to help solving problems with an innovative mindset by embracing curiosity and lifelong learning.
I want to boost women’s confidence, promote diversity in teams, and shape a positive impact through AI.

You might have seen me on

I've worked in corporations, adapting to new challenges, overcoming heartbreak in relationships, and proving myself in male-dominated fields.

I care about humans, nature, my partner John, my family, friends, and my dog Rusty. I aim to promote happiness, encourage pursuing passions, support women in their careers, and ensure diversity in AI development.

Values

I value fairness, family and friendship, diverse thoughts and cultures, creativity and curiosity, authenticity, global thinking, generosity, nature and sustainability, freedom and peace, respect and humanity, health, security and financially in-dependency, innovation and experimentation.

I excel at bringing people together, empathy, networking, supporting others, creative problem-solving, and thriving in corporate environments.

Values

I excel at bringing people together, empathy, networking, supporting others, creative problem-solving, and thriving in corporate environments.

Challenges Faced

Relocating from Germany to the USA was not easy, but finding a supporting partner created a new dimension. Through challenges in corporate I learned a ton of lessons and have grown through varied experiences.
I've encountered discrimination in a mortgage process, when buying a car, and in the workplace, leading me to advocate for equality, building awareness and drive change.