Nell Callen

Partner

Areas of Expertise:

  • Organization design

  • Succession planning

  • Mergers & affiliations

  • Board governance

  • Strategic planning

Sectors:

  • Credit Unions

  • Human Services

  • Associations

Guiding Strategic Growth and Resilience

Nell empowers her clients to achieve lasting success by elevating their strategic vision and proactively navigating future challenges. She guides leaders to focus on strategic-level activities, long-term planning, and organizational improvements, fostering a forward-thinking approach that anticipates and overcomes obstacles for sustainable growth.

Her compassionate and direct approach pairs objective feedback with empathy, encouraging honest reflection and driving meaningful evolution. Nell cultivates a supportive environment for impactful change, skillfully balancing the demands of accountability, metrics, and growth priorities with a deep understanding of the human element and change management.

Proactive Strategies, Resilient Outcomes

Nell provides clients with a valuable blend of key elements that drive organizational improvement. Her strategic focus helps organizations look beyond their immediate needs and develop long-term, sustainable plans for growth and success. This involves identifying key objectives and aligning resources, organizational structures, and team dynamics to achieve them.

Through her proactive and forward-thinking methodology, Nell guides clients to shift from a reactive stance to one of anticipation, enabling them to strategically address future challenges and build greater organizational resilience.

Understanding Your Sector

Nell leads Curtis Strategy’s credit union practice and works closely with associations and human service agencies. Her support of multiple non-profit sectors offers  a broad perspective and cross-sector best practice expertise. 

Prior to joining Curtis Strategy, Nell held various leadership roles in human resources in the financial services and real estate development industries.  She is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and speaks nationally on organizational design, strategy, and efficiency. Nell's insights and expertise have been featured in publications by Associations North "Focus North" and Nutter Law's "The Real Impact." This diverse experience equips Nell with a well-rounded and practical approach to drive organizational effectiveness across various sectors.

Get in touch with Nell

What Clients Are Saying

  • “We just completed development of our second three year strategic framework facilitated by Eric Curtis with Curtis Strategy. The comprehensive process allowed for significant stakeholder feedback and the ability to incorporate current data and insights to ensure we are best positioned for the future. The first three year strategic plan facilitated by Curtis Strategy resulted in significant completion of our goals and priorities. Our team is excited to begin executing this new strategy.”

    Jodi Ann Ray, CEO of Texas Society of CPAs Association

  • “The Electrical Association hired Curtis Strategy to align our team for future growth and productivity. Our Association, offerings and team continues to evolve so we wanted to ensure the structure matched this direction. Eric and Nell led the team through critical exercises that helped identify what each contributor should be focusing on and responsible for. This helped us identify clear alignment and increased expectations of the team members. The team is more productive and efficient than ever before. We are excited to see the continued growth and cultural improvements because of this work.”

    Clara Albert, CEO of The Electrical Association

  • “Toral has an unparalleled depth of knowledge in regards to board governance, she clearly understands the balance between educating and effectively facilitating. She was able to strike a balance with my board of directors between sparking introspection and driving best practice. The sessions she has led have all driven substantive outcomes that have had a positive impact on my board of directors and the agency. Toral is a standout because of her highly intellectual manner and ability to command the room’s attention. I was particularly impressed with her poise and tact in bringing the energy back down when serious discussions needed to be had. I truly enjoyed working her and my board echoed my sentiments .”

    Abby Parrilla, former CEO of Arc of the South Shore

  • “Deb Joelson and Delaney Teceno are consummate professionals. Their facilitative expertise, strategic planning experience, knowledge of medical membership organizations, and collegiality were extraordinary. From commencement to conclusion, they were always prepared, on time, and provided enduring electronic materials that continue to guide our 5-year strategic plan.”

    John A. Fromson, M.D., Massachusetts Psychiatric Society

  • "CrossState Credit Union Association, representing nearly 400 credit unions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, retained Curtis Strategy for its strategic planning session in 2025. CrossState was very pleased with all phases of the planning process – pre-work including phone interviews and digital surveys, onsite guidance and leadership during the planning session, and post-planning follow-up work. The result of our work together is a clear strategic plan, including priorities and objectives to guide our work over the next three years. CrossState is very happy to recommend Curtis Strategy to other organizations for strategic planning services."

    Patrick Conway, President & CEO of CrossState Credit Union