Kym Lew Nelson

Kym Lew Nelson

President and CEO

Overview

Kym Lew Nelson started, 19 years ago, The KLEW Company, a consulting and training firm focusing on strategic sourcing, procurement optimization and minority/majority supplier linkages for clients around the globe. Her customers include Fortune 100 companies, midsize firms, colleges/universities as well as minority-owned firms.

Prior to The KLEW Company, Ms. Nelson was with Procter and Gamble where she spent over 18 years. More than 10 years experience was in the area of Purchasing/ Procurement and 8 years in Brand Management/Marketing. In addition, she has over 2 years of experience in strategic consulting. She has managed global organizations, global suppliers and global Brands. She has extensive experience in developing and implementing both business and purchasing strategies with successes in growing the business and significantly reducing costs.  Ms. Nelson also has many years of experience working with minority companies to enhance their ability to become effective suppliers for Fortune 500 companies both as part of KLEW and during her time at P&G.

Currently, Ms. Nelson joined the faculty at Harvard Business School part time in the NOM unit, teaching negotiations. Prior to joining the faculty, Kym was a guest lecturer in the negotiations class at HBS for over 4 years.

Education

Harvard Graduate School of Business, MBA, June 1983. Elected president of the African-American Student organization.

Stanford University, AB, Economics, June 1979.  Developed and implemented the Stanford-Howard University exchange program (still in existence today).  Attended Howard U for a semester as part of the exchange program. Member of the Stanford Women’s basketball team (1976-77).

Experience

Harvard Business School- 1 year, Senior Lecturer, NOM unit

• Teaching negotiations in the NOM unit, both onsite and virtual.

The KLEW Company – 19 years, CEO and owner

• Consulting and training for companies across the globe.  Specialize in strategic sourcing development, supply chain optimization, negotiations/competitive bidding and minority supplier programs/joint ventures. Clients are in various business segments globally such as manufacturing, consumer products, distribution, services, IT and education. Utilize a variety of consultants around the world.

Procter & Gamble Co. – 18.5 years, various roles - Levels 1 thru 5

• Eight years in Brand Management (assignments on Crest, Pepto-Bismol and Encaprin);
• One year in Licensing and Acquisitions (Health Care area);
• Ten and a half years in purchasing (assignments in Food and Beverage, Health Care and Feminine Care global business units).  Last assignment, she was the Global Purchasing Director for the Feminine Care global business unit with over 50 people reporting to her around the world. First African-American female promoted to Director.

Bain and Co. – 2 years in strategic planning consulting

Cases and Teaching Materials

• Lew Nelson, Kym, James K. Sebenius, and Alex Green. "Reversing Course on a Reverse E-Auction (D)." Harvard Business School Supplement 921-054, June 2021. View Details
• Lew Nelson, Kym, James K. Sebenius, and Alex Green. "Reversing Course on a Reverse E-Auction (C)." Harvard Business School Supplement 921-053, June 2021. View Details
• Lew Nelson, Kym, James K. Sebenius, and Alex Green. "Reversing Course on a Reverse E-Auction (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 921-052, June 2021. View Details
• Lew Nelson, Kym, James K. Sebenius, and Alex Green. "Reversing Course on a Reverse E-Auction (A)." Harvard Business School Case 921-051, June 2021. View Details