Karin Nelsen

Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer

Professional Overview
Karin Nelsen is a seasoned legal executive with extensive experience spanning the sports, consumer goods, and legal sectors. As the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Minnesota Vikings, she oversees all legal affairs and strategic initiatives for the professional football organization. Nelsen is recognized for her expertise in complex commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, and driving positive social impact.

Experience Summary

Current Role
In her current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at the Minnesota Vikings, Nelsen is responsible for providing strategic legal counsel and oversight on all business matters. She leads a team of legal professionals to ensure the organization maintains regulatory compliance, manages high-stakes litigation, and navigates complex commercial agreements. Under her leadership, the Vikings have enhanced their social responsibility programs, strengthening community partnerships and championing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Career Progression
Prior to joining the Vikings, Nelsen held progressively senior legal roles at Cargill, Inc., including serving as the North America General Counsel, Asia Pacific General Counsel, and Deputy European General Counsel. Throughout her tenure at Cargill, she demonstrated her ability to effectively manage legal affairs across global markets and diverse business units. Nelsen began her career as a litigator at prominent law firms, Larkin Hoffman and Williams, Kastner & Gibbs, where she honed her skills in complex commercial and civil litigation.

Academic Background
Nelsen holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a certified public accountant, leveraging her financial expertise to provide strategic business guidance.

Areas of Expertise

• Corporate governance and compliance

• Sports and entertainment law

• International commercial transactions

• Mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships

• Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives

• Litigation management and dispute resolution

Professional Impact
During her tenure at the Minnesota Vikings, Nelsen has been instrumental in navigating the organization through significant milestones, including the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium and the team's successful bid to host the 2018 Super Bowl. She has also spearheaded the Vikings' corporate social responsibility efforts, leading initiatives that have positively impacted local communities and advanced diversity and inclusion within the sports industry.

Conclusion
Karin Nelsen's extensive legal expertise, combined with her strategic leadership and commitment to social impact, make her a valuable asset to the Minnesota Vikings and the broader sports and entertainment industry. As she continues to guide the organization through complex legal and business challenges, Nelsen remains focused on driving sustainable growth, upholding ethical standards, and creating lasting positive change.