Living Like an Athlete with Lindsey Nelson

Meet Lindsey Nelson , Global Merchandising Manager for Wilson Footwear. Lindsey thrives on cross-departmental collaboration, driving growth in our rapidly expanding footwear category. Outside of work, Lindsey enjoys staying active, traveling, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. Inspired by her team and guided by the principle of treating others with respect, Lindsey empowers her teammates to live every day like an athlete. ?

Tell us about your journey thus far on Team Wilson. What do you love most about what you do?

Being a part of Team Wilson has been an incredible journey. I joined the brand nearly two years ago as the Buying Manager for DTC (direct-to-consumer), where I led forecasting and assortment strategy for all hardgoods categories across our Wilson-branded stores and wilson.com. I loved this role because it was highly cross-functional, allowing me to collaborate with every department and function at Wilson. Six months ago, I transitioned into a new role as the first Global Merchandising Manager for Footwear. In this position, I’ve expanded my cross-functional work worldwide, partnering with our global regions to drive growth in this exciting and rapidly growing category! What I love most is being part of something bigger—working at the intersection of sport, design, and technology. There’s something truly magical about watching a product evolve from an idea into something that empowers athletes, and knowing I’ve contributed to that process is incredibly rewarding.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

The best advice I’ve ever received came from my dad, who taught me the 'golden rule' when I was young, and it has been a guiding principle throughout my life, both personally and professionally: 'Treat others the way you want to be treated.' In any team environment, mutual respect and understanding are essential for building strong relationships. Approaching others with kindness and empathy fosters an atmosphere where everyone feels respected and valued. When people feel appreciated, true collaboration happens, and the best ideas emerge. It also keeps work fun!

What can we find you doing in your free time??

In my free time, I love staying active and making the most of every day. Whether I’m traveling or exploring Colorado, where I currently live, I’m always on the move. This year, I’ve spent almost as much time traveling as I have at home! The highlight of my travels was a recent solo trip to the Italian Riviera this summer. When I’m in Denver, you’ll often find me outdoors—snowboarding, hiking, or camping. And on the weekends I decide to relax, you can usually find me on?the couch cheering on my favorite sports teams -?Pittsburgh and Penn State!

Who is the biggest influence/inspiration in your daily life and why?

My biggest inspiration is my team. There’s something energizing about being surrounded by passionate, talented people who are all striving toward the same goal. Each day, I’m inspired by their commitment, creativity, and willingness to go the extra mile. I find myself learning from them constantly, and their dedication pushes me to be better—both as a professional and as a teammate.

What does living like an athlete mean to you? How do you strive to empower your teammates to live every day like an athlete?

Living like an athlete means embracing discipline, striving for continuous improvement, and loving what you do! I strive to empower my teammates by celebrating the small wins, and you can ALWAYS find a small win in every day!

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