Catherine Nelson, NACD.DC®, QRD®, is an independent corporate board director and senior investment strategist with extensive experience in global capital markets, audit, and corporate governance. Over the course of her career, she has advised Fortune 500 companies and institutional investors on major transactions, risk oversight, and long‑term value creation across consumer‑facing sectors. Recognized for her deep financial expertise and broad strategic perspective, Catherine has contributed to significant M&A activity, corporate transformations, and governance initiatives worldwide.

Catherine is the Founder and CEO of Windmill Lane Advisors, where she counsels corporate leaders, board directors, and investors on strategy, capital allocation, risk governance, and board‑level decision frameworks. Her advisory work draws on more than two decades of hands‑on investment leadership and proxy decision‑making experience.  Prior to establishing her advisory practice, Catherine held senior roles at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Morgan Stanley, and Ark Asset Management. She led global investment research across the consumer sector, served on a Proxy Committee evaluating key governance matters, and guided executives through activism preparedness, corporate restructuring, and capital planning strategies.

Catherine’s previous board leadership includes serving as a Former Board Director of the Private Directors Association—where she also chaired the Audit & Finance Committee—and as a Former Advisory Board Director for Foundera, an AI‑driven beauty technology start‑up.  She has also contributed her governance and financial expertise on the boards of Rourke & Gunner Group, Green Bronx Machine, and Catholic Guardian Services.  Catherine holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Economics from Boston College, along with multiple governance designations, including NACD Directorship Certification® and the Qualified Risk Director® credential.

Catherine joined the CMMB Board of Directors in 2024 and serves on the Finance and Program Committees.