Roy Nelson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Global Studies
Areas of Expertise:
Latin American business issues, Doing business in Brazil, Doing business in Mexico,
International business/government relations, Foreign direct investment, Global
political economy
Courses:
Contemporary Business in Latin America, Field Seminar in Brazil, Global Business
Leadership, Global Political Economy, Intrapreneurial Project, Regional Business
Environment: Latin America, Regional Business Environment: North America
ABOUT THUNDERBIRD:
Thunderbird is a top-ranked school of global
business with nearly 70 years of experience
in developing leaders with the global mindset,
business skills and social responsibility
necessary to create real, sustainable value
for their organizations, communities and the
world. Dedicated to preparing students to be
global leaders and committed global citizens,
Thunderbird was the first graduate business
school to adopt an official Professional Oath of
Honor. Thunderbird’s global network of alumni
numbers 45,000 graduates in 147 nations
worldwide. The school is sought out by graduate
students, working professionals and companies
seeking to acquire the skills necessary for
success in today’s global economy.
Professional Bio:
Dr. Roy Nelson is Associate Professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management,
as well as Academic Director of Thunderbird’s Bachelor of Global Management (BGM)
program. At Thunderbird, he teaches courses on Principles of Global Management,
Corporate Social Responsibility, States and Markets in the Global Economy, and the
Regional Business Environment of Latin America. He also leads field seminars (to
visit companies and speak with managers) in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and/or
Colombia every year.
Beyond consulting for various companies and government programs, Dr. Nelson’s
industry experience includes working for Pharmacia & Upjohn (later acquired by Pfizer)
in Brazil. He also lived in Brazil while conducting research for his Ph.D. dissertation on
the Brazilian computer and pharmaceutical industries. Other projects have taken Dr.
Nelson throughout the Latin American region as well as to the Middle East, Europe,
and Asia. Dr. Nelson’s most recent book is Harnessing Globalization: The Promotion
of Nontraditional Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America (Penn State University
Press, 2009).
Academic Director of Thunderbird’s Executive MBA program in São Paulo, Brazil
from 2000-2004, Nelson received a B.A. in International Relations (with honors) from
Stanford University, an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, and a Ph.D.
in Government from Cornell University.
Educating global leaders
who create sustainable
prosperity worldwide.
1 Global Place • Glendale, Arizona • 85306-6000 USA • +1 602 978-7100 • 800 457-6966 • thunderbird.edu