Meg Brzyski Nelson

Senior Vice President, Children's Wisconsin
President, Children's Wisconsin Foundation

Meg Brzyski Nelson is president of Children’s Wisconsin Foundation and chief development officer for Children’s Wisconsin, the state's only health system dedicated 100% to kids and teens. Through both broad-based and very individualized methods, Meg and the Foundation team work to build brand awareness for Children’s as a cause; deepen volunteerism and advocacy; increase philanthropic revenue; and, demonstrate gratitude to the community and grateful patient families.

Currently, Meg is leading Brighter Than Ever, the five-year $300M engagement and philanthropy campaign effort for Children’s Wisconsin. The campaign is intended to help fuel Children’s Wisconsin’s mission, especially the work that commercial insurance and public payers do not fund: research that eradicates or changes the trajectory of diseases so children can lead full lives and return to their families, schools and communities; programs that support the social health of kids, families and communities like camps for sick or injured kids, art and animal therapy, sibling care, and positive parenting programs; and integrated health care that puts mental health on par with physical health.

Children’s Wisconsin was founded by the community over 125 years ago and is a national, top-ranked pediatric enterprise and the largest social service agency in the state with over two million touch points per year.  Meg has been in her role at Children’s for over seven years. Prior to Children’s Wisconsin, Meg served as associate vice president of university advancement for Marquette University where she was part of leading large-scale fundraising efforts; donor cultivation and stewardship activities; and, parent, donor and alumni outreach and communication functions.

Meg earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Marquette University. She was recognized in Milwaukee Business Journal's 2006 Forty Under 40, honoring outstanding business and community leaders. In addition, she has received awards for her teaching and leadership. She is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization, a national and international networking group of business leaders with at least 40 employees and $25 million in revenues.

Whether in her work or volunteer roles, Meg loves helping organizations and people reach their full potential. Meg is adept at helping organizations develop vision and complementary strategic work plans and rallying volunteers to a common cause.  She currently serves as a board member of Next Door, an early childhood development program serving Milwaukee’s central city and is former chair of the board of PEARLS for Teen Girls, an empowerment program targeting at-risk girls in Milwaukee. She is married to Duane Nelson and has three young adult step-children.