As President and CEO of Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, Letesha Nelson leads a 128-year-old organization whose 17 programs support more than 30,000 people across the region each year. Drawing on more than two decades in nonprofit leadership, she brings a people-centered, strategic approach to building trust, strengthening teams, and expanding the impact of mission-driven work.
I’m originally from Milwaukee, and after spending several years working in different parts of the country, I returned to Wisconsin in 2021. Wisconsin is home for me. My background includes 17 years with the Girl Scouts, two years as Executive Director of Children and Family Enrichment Services in Memphis, and four years as CEO of Goodman Community Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Each of those experiences has shaped how I think about leadership, community, and the importance of investing in people.
Family Services has been part of this community for 128 years, and today we offer 17 programs across 17 counties and beyond. Our work spans everything from early childhood development and parent education to crisis services, mental health, and victim services. We support people at many different points in their lives, whether that means helping a family get off to a strong start, supporting someone through a crisis, or helping individuals heal and move forward after trauma.
One of the things I love about Family Services is the breadth of our work and all the different ways we can make a difference. We have an incredibly dedicated team, and we work alongside community partners, donors, volunteers, and other organizations to help ensure people can access the support they need.
Outside of work, I love to travel, watch movies, and spend time with my four children and nine grandchildren. For me, it really comes back to faith, family, and service, and I feel fortunate that my work allows me to bring those values into what I do every day.
We have served Northeast Wisconsin for more than 120 years, but longevity alone doesn’t earn trust. We have to earn it again with every individual, every family, and every interaction. Our mission—Protect. Heal. Care.—sets that expectation for our work.
We build authority by pairing experience with accountability: sharing our impact, contributing our expertise, and helping people understand where to turn for support. Each year, we help more than 30,000 children, families, and individuals throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Ultimately, our credibility comes from what we do and how we do it. We want people to know that when they reach out to Family Services, they will be heard, respected, and supported.
“Transformation happens when people understand where you’re going, why it matters, and how their work contributes to that bigger picture.”
— Letesha Nelson, Family Services