Matt Nielsen is a third-generation owner and executive for Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Inc., Interim Managing Director of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International BV, Managing Director of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International LLC and Managing Director of Nielsen Real Estate BV. He is passionate about family businesses, mentoring start up entrepreneurs and connecting individuals with the best possible expertise.His operational responsibilities include overseeing the company’s European business unit. For 30+ years Matt also had responsibility for the company’s worldwide operations, retail and food service sales and strategic initiatives.He is currently a Director for Nielsen-Massey Vanillas; Director for Graziano Brothers, a family held producer of specialty sausage products, specialty retailer and distributor; Director for Family Enterprise USA; Vice President – Treasurer and Director of the Nielsen-Massey Foundation; Executive in Residence, Mentor and Panelist in Kellogg’s John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises; and a member of the Loyola University Family Business Center.Nielsen-Massey was the recipient of the Loyola University Family Business Center's Small Family Business of the Year Award in 2006 and their Dean's Award in 2018, in recognition of our leadership in sustainable and socially responsible supply chain. Also in 2006, Matt was selected by Gourmet News magazine as one of their top "20 Under 40" in the specialty food industry. In 2015, Matt was honored by his high school alma mater, Wayland Academy, with their Alumni Achievement Award for excellence in his field.He is a past Director and Officer of the Specialty Food Association; the Specialty Food Foundation; The French Pastry School’s Curriculum Advisory Board; the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing; and an advisor for three specialty food startup companies – Droga Chocolates, Rare Bird Preserves and Two Fold.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 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, skiing/snowboarding, riding his motorcycle and cooking, particularly authentic, competition BBQ.Specialties: Family Business, Business Governance, Operations, Strategy & Sales