Vicky Carlson is a chief executive officer with 25-plus years of leadership experience building successful businesses and nonprofit organizations. She has a track record of turning around companies, significantly increasing revenue and implementing systems and processes that ensure sustained growth and stability. Broad business acumen, strategic vision, and strong relationships have contributed to her success in the business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Most recently, Ms. Carlson served as the president and CEO of LEAD San Diego, where she advanced a regional nonprofit into an important and impactful community leadership organization. During her tenure, LEAD increased revenue by 60 percent and stabilized cash flow to enable the successful implementation of a marketing strategy that raised awareness and emphasized relevance within the community. She grew LEAD’s network to include involvement by all the major businesses and organizations in the greater San Diego region.

Ms. Carlson has combined sales and marketing expertise with a foundation in business operations. During her corporate career and as a business owner, she worked closely with Herman Miller, a leader in office furniture systems, serving on corporate committees and for the industry as president of the National Dealer Alliance. She was known for evolving a series of office furniture companies from just selling commodities into consultants concentrating on increasing productivity through smart workplace design. By implementing new digital technologies and IT systems, consolidating and streamlining operations, and recruiting talented professionals, she turned several money-losing companies into profitable enterprises - in one case, more than tripling revenue.

In recognition of her business and leadership expertise, she has been actively involved in many committees and boards for both industry and community organizations. Her extensive local and national nonprofit board experience spans more than 15 years. As a director and chair, she has driven efforts in the areas of finance, governance, and marketing. She is highly skilled at board dynamics and known for appreciating differing agendas while resolving complex issues. Ms. Carlson is the immediate past chair of the board of directors and audit committee for the San Diego International Film Foundation and is currently on the board of The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, serving on its development committee. She is a former member of the board of directors for Voices for Children and The Women’s Conference, serving at the pleasure of California first lady Maria Shriver. She was also featured on the PBS Small Business School episode "Women Are Anywhere and Everywhere" and has been interviewed and presented on many radio broadcasts promoting small business.

Ms. Carlson has received numerous professional honors throughout her career, accepting the WMBE Supplier of the Year Award from the Greater San Diego Business Development Council; the University of California, San Diego, Rady School of Management Athena Pinnacle Award; and San Diego’s Women Who Mean Business Award. As well, Office Pavilion San Diego was recognized as a "Best Company to Work For" by the San Diego Business Journal.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Wyoming and more recently completed the management development for entrepreneurs program and earned corporate governance certification, both from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Carlson lives in the San Diego area.