Patrice Nelson, Senior Associate

Patrice Nelson, Senior Associate

Patrice Nelson joined moss+ross in 2016 after serving for seven years as Executive Director of Urban Ministries of Durham and 25+ years of nonprofit and faith community leadership positions in Philadelphia, P.A.

By listening, challenging, encouraging and guiding clients facing change, she assists them to clarify hopes and dreams and create specific plans for action. Patrice brings strengths in organizational assessment, board and management team leadership development, conflict resolution, fundraising, human resources, program development, performance measurement and fiscal management. Having worked with a broad spectrum of leaders, service providers, consumers and supporters, she is a bridge builder and has a reputation for using her gifts to help all parties find common ground to achieve common goals. 

Patrice graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with undergrad and master’s degrees in urban planning and has a certificate in non-profit management from Duke. She also attended Lutheran Seminary, received a master’s in divinity and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church USA. 

She’s active in the Durham Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, supports the work of Durham area non-profits serving those who are homeless, works to increase voter engagement and is active at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Durham. She is a grandmother of three and spends a lot of time cheering at youth sporting events. 

Fun fact: As Executive Director of Urban Ministries of Durham, Patrice was one of moss+ross’s first clients.