Marilyn Nelson, PhD
Marilyn Nelson, PhD is an accomplished global business transformation leader, award-winning executive, and U.S. Air Force veteran with more than two decades of experience driving mission-critical outcomes across complex, global organizations. As CEO and Founder of Invicta Global Partner, LLC, she has built a reputation as a trusted ServiceNow executive and strategic advisor, leading large-scale digital and operational transformations from concept through deployment. Her career reflects a rare balance of big-picture vision and hands-on execution, grounded in disciplined leadership shaped by her military service.
Throughout her career, Dr. Nelson has held senior leadership roles across the Americas and globally, including Global Head of ServiceNow Practice, Vice President of Alliances, and Managing Partner roles within major technology and consulting organizations. She brings deep expertise in Enterprise Service Management, Human Capital Management, Security Operations, Governance, Risk & Compliance, DevOps, and infrastructure sustainment. Known for her ability to lead cross-functional, multicultural teams, she consistently delivers measurable improvements in performance, profitability, and organizational maturity while navigating rapid technological change.
Recognized as a marketplace leader in digital transformation and operational excellence, Dr. Nelson is celebrated for her transparent, people-centered leadership style that prioritizes communication, engagement, and talent retention. In 2025, she was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Indiana by Women We Admire, honoring her impact on business and leadership at both state and global levels. Fueled by grace and grit, she remains passionate about helping organizations adapt, grow, and thrive—while living unapologetically and embracing a life shaped by service, resilience, and continuous improvement.
• University of Bradford - Ph.D.
• Top 50 Women Leaders of Indiana 2025
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to 33 years of experience, a strong academic foundation that includes two master’s degrees, a PhD in Strategic Organization, an EdD in International Educational Leadership, and a lifelong commitment to leadership and excellence. After working with several consulting firms, I founded my own company to deliver more effective, results-driven solutions for clients. My leadership style was shaped by my service in the United States Air Force, instilling discipline, accountability, and a mission-focused approach. I am deeply passionate about driving organizational change and helping businesses grow and succeed.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you are only limited by your own imagination.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this industry to lead with purpose and use their careers to make a difference. Lift other women as you rise, create opportunities where they don’t yet exist, and never underestimate the impact of supporting and empowering one another.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are service, growth, and community. I value giving back through mentoring and coaching young women at the high school level, advocating for others, and helping women realize their potential. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and traveling, which keep me grounded, curious, and connected to different cultures and perspectives.
Milestone Moments
She didn’t choose the brick wall behind her by accident. Years earlier, this alley had been a shortcut she took every morning on her way to school where her ideas were dismissed and her voice was softened to make others comfortable. She learned quickly that leadership isn’t given—it’s claimed. So she began preparing in quiet ways: studying after long days, asking hard questions, and saying no when it would have been easier to agree. The jacket over her shoulder tells part of the story. It’s the weight of responsibility she learned to carry without letting it bend her posture. When a crisis hit the company she later led, people looked to her not because she was the loudest in the room, but because she was steady. She listened when others panicked. She decided when others hesitated. There were moments of real fear—standing alone in boardrooms, making calls that could cost millions, choosing integrity when shortcuts were tempting. Courage, she discovered, wasn’t dramatic. It was calm. It showed up early and stayed late. It took accountability when things went wrong and shared credit when things went right. Success didn’t arrive as applause. It arrived as trust. Teams grew stronger under her leadership. People stayed, learned, and rose. She built something sustainable, not flashy—something that lasted. Now, when she pauses against this wall, she’s not resting. She’s reflecting. The faint smile isn’t for the camera—it’s for the woman she used to be, the one who kept walking even when the path was narrow. Strength brought her here. Leadership keeps her moving forward.