Kristyl Nelson

Kristyl Nelson is an American businesswoman, founder, and visionary Global COO who brings together entrepreneurial drive and operational mastery to build enduring businesses that inspire, perform, and uplift communities. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., and later moving with her family to Prince George’s County, Maryland, Kristyl grew up surrounded by entrepreneurial influence from her father, internationally known artist John Nelson, and her mother, a successful businesswoman and economist. From an early age, Kristyl understood both creativity and business as tools for building legacy, lessons that continue to guide her work today.

Her professional journey reflects that duality. In Jamaica, as part of the senior leadership team at a beachfront boutique hotel The Palms Resort in Negril, she directed day-to-day operations, team performance, and guest experience, contributing to the property’s recognition among the top ten resorts in Jamaica for three consecutive years. She also founded Kristyl’s International Restaurant, which became TripAdvisor’s #1 dining destination in Negril. In the United States, Kristyl co-founded University for Kids, a childcare and early education company in Washington, D.C., where she led operations for four state-of-the-art centers that each reached full enrollment and generated multi-million-dollar revenues. She also founded Plentii, a professional services firm specializing in accounting and financial services where she streamlined financial reporting systems and strengthened business operations for dozens of clients. She has also partnered on more than 20 multifamily real estate and development deals in the Washington, D.C. area, deepening her expertise in scaling complex projects from vision to execution.

Today, as Co-Founder, President & Global COO of Kindah Enterprises, Kristyl manages a global team of more than 100 employees across multiple countries. She is the operational architect behind Kindah’s global vision overseeing HR, IT, construction, branding, investor relations, and marketing and ensures that large-scale initiatives such as the 200+ room expansion of High Life Resort & Spa in Negril, Jamaica and the creation of Kindah City in the Middle East are executed with precision. Known for her ability to deliver measurable results, she has reduced liabilities for ventures by more than 40%, implemented operational forecasts that drive sustainable growth and consistently built high-performing teams that thrive in diverse markets.

What sets Kristyl apart is her gift for leading and motivating large teams through an approach rooted in authentic connection. She believes in the power of human relationships and in building genuine synergies that create operational harmony. Having been exposed to business, art, travel, and culture from an early age, Kristyl naturally cultivated a wide network and an intuitive ability to connect with people. Known affectionately as a “social butterfly,” her loving, bubbly, and outgoing personality continues to be a hallmark of her leadership style and her success in fostering trust and collaboration. As a wellness advocate, she designs and develops projects that blend hospitality and health, creating environments where investors, guests, and communities can thrive together. From her passion for intuitive living to her commitment to mindfulness and holistic well-being, Kristyl’s vision is to make Kindah’s luxury developments synonymous with both luxury and wellness focused.

Kristyl studied Business, Commercial Real Estate, and Blockchain & Digital Assets at The Wharton School of Business and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She also serves as a board member of Removing Borders Non-Profit and the Brighter Futures Foundation, and is a strategic partner of Spaces in Action.

A powerhouse entrepreneur and operator, Kristyl Nelson continues to shape the future of global hospitality and real estate by building a strong foundation that combines luxury, sustainability, and wellness, creating legacies that last for generations.

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