– Photo courtesy of Oakland County
Oakland County Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford) was one of 40 county leaders recognized at County Executive David Coulter’s inaugural State of the County address on Wednesday, Feb. 12. She was chosen as a member of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2020, a group of leaders under the age of 40 making a difference in Oakland County and beyond. The program, in its ninth year, honors young professionals and thought leaders who live or work in Oakland County and have achieved excellence in their profession.
“It was an honor to sit among so many distinguished professionals at the State of the County address,” Nelson said. “I am proud to be included in this group.”
Nelson is a board certified behavior analyst, as well as an Oakland County commissioner representing Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Sylvan Lake and parts of Waterford and West Bloomfield. She was also an ASD teacher in the Farmington Public Schools district for nearly a decade. Nelson has a bachelor’s degree in special education and master’s degree in special education and teaching, both from Wayne State University.
“My adult life has been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people on the autism spectrum,” Nelson said. “It is an incredibly rewarding career that requires out-of-the-box thinking and the determination to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. These skills have proven indispensable as a member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners as we work together to make a difference in the lives of all Oakland County residents.”
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Nelson was selected from a group of 250 nominees, and the final 2020 Elite 40 class was selected by a panel of independent judges. She will be honored at a ceremony for all awardees later this spring.
For additional information about the Board of Commissioners, visit www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248-858-0100.
