Loretta Nelson

Loretta Nelson is a technology executive whose career spans more than three decades across sales, strategic partnerships, corporate strategy and business operations. She has held senior leadership positions at some of the world’s most influential technology companies, including Intel, Cisco, VMware, Dell Technologies and ServiceNow.

Growing up in a small California town, Loretta’s perspective changed when she travelled to Kenya as an exchange student at just 16. The experience introduced her to unfamiliar cultures and environments, teaching her to become comfortable with uncertainty and helping shape the adaptability that would later define her professional life.

Loretta built her career in technology not by becoming the most technical person in the room, but by understanding people, building relationships and helping organisations make better decisions. At Cisco, she held leadership roles in strategic alliances and services, developing experience navigating complex partnerships and working alongside senior executives. Her career subsequently included leadership responsibilities in OEM alliances at VMware, corporate strategy and operations at Dell Technologies, and strategic operations at ServiceNow.

Throughout her career, Loretta worked with influential technology leaders, including John Chambers, Bill Gates, Michael Dell and Pat Gelsinger. These experiences reinforced her belief in preparation, clear communication and the importance of addressing difficult issues rather than avoiding them. She learned that effective leadership requires both sound judgment and the confidence to communicate what people need to hear.

Relationships have remained central to Loretta’s approach. She views sales as a form of service, built around understanding needs, earning trust and creating value over time. Whether managing executive relationships, supporting major business decisions or developing strategic partnerships, she has consistently emphasised the human side of business.

Today, Loretta is thinking more intentionally about the next stage of her life. After decades in demanding leadership environments, she is making more room for mentoring, family, adventure and experiences beyond work. Her perspective reflects a shift from building a successful career to deciding how that career should fit into a fulfilling life.