Mary Nelson
Vice President
Mary Nelson is Vice President and Co-Founder of Kemin Industries, a global company she helped build from the ground up alongside her husband, R.W. Nelson, in 1961. Her leadership and dedication have shaped Kemin’s culture, operations, and philanthropic vision for more than six decades.
Throughout her tenure, Mary has held diverse roles across administration, customer service, legal affairs, human resources, and strategic planning. She was so deeply committed to the company’s growth and governance that colleagues often joked it had become her “sixth child”, which reflected the personal care and attention she invested in Kemin’s success.
A passionate advocate for corporate citizenship, Mary founded and led the Kemin Charitable Contributions Committee, guiding the company’s philanthropic efforts across the globe—from disaster relief to education initiatives. Her commitment to giving back continues to inspire Kemin’s values and global impact.
Mary’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Kemin’s mission to improve lives through science, service, and compassion.