Courtney Nelson

Courtney joined Cultural Vistas in 2014, where she started working as a Program Officer for J-1 Visa sponsorship services. She transitioned to grant program implementation in 2015, serving as the Senior Program Officer for the Edmund S. Muskie Fellowship Program, facilitating professional internships for Fulbright Students during their time in the United States. Prior to her current role, Courtney led new program development as Director of Program Development, designing and implementing innovative international exchange programs. She additionally led the organization’s first Impact Working Group, coordinating learning outcomes and impact evaluation across all Cultural Vistas programs.

As Senior Director, Grant Programs and Strategic Development, Courtney oversees management of all Cultural Vistas grant programs, providing strategic oversight and ensuring quality delivery of programs. She works closely with business development and grant program teams on program design and implementation to ensure they are aligned with Cultural Vistas’ mission, values, and strategic direction.

Before coming to Cultural Vistas, Courtney worked as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State for the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies, promoting civil society engagement and public diplomacy around the globe. She holds a master’s degree in international conflict resolution from American University in Washington, D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in history from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.