Debbie Nelson
Debbie Nelson
2013-03-18T01:31:03-05:00

I take pride in supporting DNA’s staff as they grow personally and professionally. There is nothing more satisfying than receiving a compliment from a client or community member about one of our campaigns or the service provided by the team.
Debbie Nelson, a twenty-four year resident of Greenville, is the president and founder of DNA Creative Communications. Established in 1997, DNA is a woman-owned public relations and inspirational marketing firm for nonprofit and government organizations. Committed to partnering with organizations that enhance the quality of life in their communities, DNA focuses its expertise on the education, human services and environmental sectors.
Debbie has a BA from Smith College, an MHSA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from The Citadel. She is a graduate of Leadership Greenville, Leadership South Carolina and the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative. In addition, she is a proud recipient of the Community Foundation of Greenville’s 2011 Creative Spirit Award, the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s 2011 George L. Johnson Community Spirit Award and the 2013 American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award.
- CITADEL COLLEGE ● M.B.A, Business Management (2014)
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ● M.A., Health Services Administration
- SMITH COLLEGE ● B.A., Biology
Under Debbie’s leadership, DNA launched Shine the Light Nonprofit Forums in 2010. These educational workshops developed in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Greenville, the United Way of Greenville County and the Hollingsworth Funds have provided training to more than 1000 participants from more than 350 organizations. Training topics have ranged from leadership development and strategic planning to branding and storytelling. To increase awareness of South Carolina’s exceptional nonprofits, each month Debbie shares stories in her “Shine the Light on Your Nonprofit” columns in the Greenville Business Magazine and Columbia Business Monthly.
Debbie has been an active community volunteer over the years by serving on a variety of nonprofit boards and committees including the Community Foundation of Greater Greenville, A Child’s Haven, the Junior League of Greenville, the Leadership Greenville Board of Regents, the YWCA and Child Watch Greenville. She currently serves as a member of the United Way of Greenville County’s Community Investment Cabinet and on the boards of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, Meals on Wheels of Greenville, the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations, the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.
Here’s Some Of My Work.
Below are some of my favorite posts. Hope you enjoy!
DNA Creative Communications (DNA) received four awards at the last night’s South Carolina Public Relations Society of America (SCPRSA) Mercury Awards ceremony that was held in Charleston. DNA was recognized for their exceptional programs and […]
About a year ago, I was invited to an event celebrating the opening of the Early College at Greenville Technical College and I still remember the main message presented by the teachers: Teamwork makes […]
Do you remember the classic movie line “If you build it, he will come” from the 1989 American fantasy-drama, Field of Dreams? Farmer Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, hears a voice and […]