Sparking Ideas. Creating Solutions.

Nina B. Winston Consulting creates strategies, solutions and development paths for civic, nonprofit and travel and tourism leaders and organizations.

Sparking ideas. Creating solutions.

Welcome to Nina B. Winston Consulting.
Smarter thinking for what’s next.

Client Categories.

Nina Winston, the founder of Nina B. Winston Consulting, brings decades of experience in developing new initiatives, driving economic impact and building partnerships at global, state-wide and local levels. Her expertise focuses on three core areas:

Civic

As a former executive for both civic organizations and their outside advisors, Nina contributes internal experience and external perspective to consulting projects. With a deep understanding of public sector organizations, she adeptly works with clients to achieve impactful approaches to mission-critical endeavors.

NONPROFIT

Nina collaborates with nonprofit organizations to help them fuse their mission and vision with meaningful goals to achieve tangible results. She has a deep understanding of 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(3) organizations, state and local government, and how these entities interface with the corporate sector.

TRAVEL & TOURISM

Her work as an executive vice president at the world’s largest resource for destination organizations, coupled with her experience leading strategic partnerships and initiatives at state and city levels, allows Nina to design solutions for destinations seeking to elevate tourism and drive economic growth.

Areas of Impact.

Nina combines multiple areas of expertise to help organizations build out and break through. She collaborates with leadership or teams to craft actionable solutions that are both creative and practical.

Partnership Design and Development.

Ready to reinvent or refresh a partnership strategy? With extensive experience growing critical relationships for organizations, Nina works with teams to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions for partnership, sponsorship and membership programs.

New Initiatives and Projects.

How does a great concept come to life? Nina crystalizes clients’ ideas to create actionable plans. From the initial stages of brainstorming to the final execution steps, she helps transform creative thinking into realized, powerful initiatives.

Strategic Planning.

How can an organization succeed as the world swiftly changes, especially in light of Covid? Nina draws on her experience working in changing, dynamic environments to design or refresh strategic plans for future challenges and opportunities, whether a month from now or years ahead.

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“What amazes me about Nina – and what I really appreciate – is her unique ability to see opportunities and possibilities that no one else sees. She is not only creative, with great ideas and the big picture, but is one of those rare souls who cannot only see but execute to bring the idea to fruition.”

Brad Lewis
Director at Nevada Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission

Meet Nina Winston.

Nina Winston contributes more than two decades of executive and leadership experience in the public, civic, destination travel and nonprofit sectors to her work at Nina B. Winston Consulting. Most recently, Nina was Executive Vice President for Destinations International, based in Washington D.C., the world’s largest resource for destination organizations. In her role, she oversaw global development, strategic alliances and member and partner relations.

As Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism arm, Nina supported the organization’s goal to bring regional, national and international business and leisure visitors to Chicago for its economic benefit. Among her achievements, she developed relationships and organization-wide strategies that delivered over $15 million in new revenue from public and private sector partners, including leading Fortune 100 companies as well as state and local government.

Nina claims a practical, innovative, collaborative and energetic approach to consulting. She excels in tackling complex challenges, developing new and impactful programs and building strategic relationships. In addition to her consulting work, Nina is an experienced speaker who has presented in numerous settings, facilitated and moderated discussions and advocated around key issues. She is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School, where she earned a master’s in public administration.

Chicago has been Nina’s home base for more than 30 years. She cares deeply about making a difference in her community. Her volunteer leadership roles include working with numerous arts and cultural organizations, including Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Lincoln Park Zoo.

Get to know me.

I live in Chicago, a city I have been proud to call my home for over 30 years. With more than two decades of executive and leadership experience in the public sector, civic, travel and nonprofits, I am here to help you and your team tackle complex challenges, develop new and impactful programs and build strategic relationships. I pride myself on my practical, innovative, collaborative and energetic approach.

As an executive, I have driven organizational change through strategic assessment, operationalization of new initiatives, and partnership design and development. Collaborating with decision makers up to the C-suite and board level, I have played a key role in launching new programs, turning around existing operations and driving expansion through global partnerships.

An experienced presenter and advocate, I have presented in numerous settings, facilitated and moderated important discussions and served as an advocate around key issues. With a deep understanding of 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(3) organizations, state and local government, and how these entities interface with the corporate sector, I can help deliver your goals and your message in effective and relevant ways.

Beyond my professional work, I care a great deal about making a meaningful difference in my community. I have served in a number of volunteer leadership roles in my hometown of Chicago with numerous arts and cultural organizations — including Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Lincoln Park Zoo.

A lifelong learner, I received a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University in Chicago and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, where I focused on analytical and leadership skills along with global and cross-cultural perspectives. I continue to make the world my classroom, and have a voracious appetite for finding new trends, ideas and initiatives from which we can all learn.

Learn more about me here.

I bring a level of determination, curiosity and creativity that can help you and your organization move forward.

Client and Colleague Reviews.

“It has been my pleasure to have worked with Nina for eight years; most recently leading strategic alliances at Destinations International, and before that heading up partner engagement at Choose Chicago. Nina built a strong portfolio of core business partners at both organizations by providing solid and comprehensive plans with key deliverables designed to support these relationships globally.”

Don Welsh

President & CEO, Destinations International

“Nina’s understanding of civic projects and programs combined with her ability to lead community engagement efforts brings positive impact and results. She sees opportunities and connections that others might miss.”

Alicia Berg

Assistant Vice President, Campus Planning + Sustainability at The University of Chicago

“Nina is an out of the box leader and thinker. Her expertise in global initiatives, board relations, relationship building and bringing new initiatives to life strengthens and deepens the scope and impact of organizations.”

Tammy Blount-Canavan

FCDME, Executive VP/Principal Destination & Travel Practice, FiredUp! Culture

“Nina’s strategic and collaborative approach in launching new, multi-stakeholder initiatives empowered our team to move forward with a common vision when the James Beard Foundation Awards relocated to Chicago from New York City in 2015. Her understanding of the nonprofit sector coupled with her expertise in civic affairs and tourism laid the groundwork for our success in Chicago.”

David Bowen

President & Founder, Bowen & Company, Producer, James Beard Foundation Awards

“I’ve been lucky enough to work with Nina over several years, in several roles, on several different partnerships. She immediately understood my organization’s goals, connected the dots with broader initiatives, and effectively drove everything through to implementation. Nina also understands the greater context that organizations operate in, and the impacts on cities, their residents and visitors at the local and global levels. She’s that rare combination of a big thinker and a doer. ”

Molly Turner

Urban Tech Startup Advisor, former Policy Director Airbnb

“Nina has the unique ability to bring people together, break through silos and see new opportunities for destinations and their stakeholders. Her understanding of the global business events space is accompanied by a personal perspective and approach that develops into new partnerships and innovative solutions.”

Eduardo Chaillo

CMP, CMM, DES, Global Meetings & Tourism Specialists, LLC

“What always amazes me about Nina — and what I really appreciate — is her unique ability to see possibilities and opportunities that no one else sees. She is not only creative with great ideas and the big picture but is one of those rare souls who can not only conceive but also execute to bring the idea to fruition. So often “sort of” ideas that may have merit, languish and are never implemented. Nina is one with the vision to see something others don’t and execute on the concept... with very favorable results.”

Brad Lewis

Director at Nevada Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission

“Over many years working together, Nina helped us grow the impact and value of our partnerships, increasing measurable results for all stakeholders. She knows how to identify key areas of alignment and build productive relationships.”

Steven Paganelli, CDME

Director | Destinations, Hotels and OTAs, Americas, Tripadvisor

“It has been my pleasure to have worked with Nina for eight years; most recently leading strategic alliances at Destinations International, and before that heading up partner engagement at Choose Chicago. Nina built a strong portfolio of core business partners at both organizations by providing solid and comprehensive plans with key deliverables designed to support these relationships globally.”