Monique L. Nelson

Senior Vice President
Brand Integration  
UniWorld Group Inc.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Age: 36


As the senior vice president of brand integration at UniWorld Group Inc., Monique L. Nelson leads multimillion-dollar, globally integrated marketing programs that drive sales and brand awareness for top-tiered clients. Yet Nelson doesn’t let the pressures that come along with a high-profile position detour her from achieving success. “Obstacles have taught me to always have a backup plan, never think the world is coming to an end, and always be solution oriented,” says Nelson.

Nelson’s more than 15 years in marketing includes nine years as global lead for entertainment marketing at Motorola Inc. She is credited with leading the global launch of the first mobile phone with iTunes (or the first iPhone), the Motorola ROKR, which held 100 songs in 2005, and is the company’s first African-American advertising manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, based in Milan, Italy. Asked if she’d rather be in another field, Nelson declares she’s extremely happy where she is — in her dream job. “The art of building something different and innovative for a client is truly fulfilling to me,” she says.

Nelson received a bachelor’s degree in human and organizational development from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. in international marketing and finance from DePaul University. She loves to travel and combats stress by practicing Bikram Yoga and reading the New Zealand version of The Lord’s Prayer. Nelson also believes in giving back to the community and volunteers with the Brooklyn Chapter of The Links Inc., the Vanderbilt on Madison Avenue’s Internship Program, Salute to Youth and Sequoia Women Center. She provides food and collects toiletries and clothing for the homeless and battered women. If she had the resources, she would dedicate most of her time to youth development. “I would fund as many Salute to Youth Scholarships and Posse Foundation scholars as I could,” she declares.

Fun Facts
Favorite sport: Yoga
Favorite comedian: Katt Williams
Last movie: “Waiting for Superman”