ABOUT ME
The IC Pro Who Says What Others Won't
I've spent 10+ years in internal communications, and I've learned one thing: our profession has an identity crisis. We've accepted being seen as a support function when we should be strategic partners.
I'm here to change that—for myself, and for every IC professional tired of fighting for a seat at the table.
"Internal communications isn't about making people feel good. It's about making the business work better. When we stop apologizing for that, everything changes."
— My philosophy, simplified
MY STORY
How I Got Here
The Early Years
I started my career in PR and external communications, working with hospitality brands, government agencies, and multicultural marketing campaigns. It was exciting work, but something was missing.
When I moved into internal communications at Yahoo! in 2009, everything clicked. This was where real change happened—not in press releases, but in the conversations happening inside companies every day.
From there, I spent time at Adobe, NetApp, and PayPal, learning what works (and what doesn't) in enterprise IC. I saw brilliant communicators dismissed because they couldn't articulate their value in business terms.
The Turning Point
In 2013, I made a decision that surprised everyone: I stepped away from corporate life to focus on family. For seven years, I invested in raising my boys, earned my Life Coach Certification, and did meaningful community/philanthropic work.
But I also got my MBA—specifically to answer one question: How do we reposition internal communications as a profit center instead of a cost center?
That thesis became my mission. When I returned to corporate in 2021, I came back with a new perspective and a new purpose: to change how organizations (and IC professionals themselves) think about our function.
CAREER JOURNEY
The Path That Shaped Me
Built Global IC at Couchbase
Created function from scratch, led through public-to-private transition
2024–Present
2022–2023
Transformed Comms at Visa
Developed change & product communications for global teams
Scaled IC at Infobip
Hypergrowth comms across 40+ countries, pre-IPO readiness
2021–2022
2014–2021
Intentional Career Break
Family focus, MBA, Life Coach Certification, community leadership
Strategic Advisor Era
Yahoo, Adobe, NetApp, PayPal — Built foundation in enterprise IC
2009–2014
2003–2009
External Comms Foundation
PR agencies, hospitality, government, multicultural marketing
WHAT I BELIEVE
My Philosophy on IC
Measure What Matters
Engagement scores are vanity metrics. I focus on what executives actually care about: risk mitigation, cash flow protection, retention impact, and productivity gains.
Business First, Always
Every communication should tie to a business outcome. If you can't explain why it matters to the bottom line, it probably doesn't deserve your time.
Strategic, Not Service
IC isn't an order-taking function. We're strategic partners who shape how information flows, how culture forms, and how organizations succeed.
CAREER JOURNEY
The Path That Shaped Me
Built Global IC at Couchbase
2024–Present
Created function from scratch, led through public-to-private transition
2022–2023
Transformed Comms at Visa
Work experience & product communications for global teams
2021–2022
Scaled IC at Infobip
Hypergrowth comms across 40+ countries, pre-IPO readiness
2014–2021
Intentional Career Break
Family focus, MBA, Life Coach Certification, community leadership
2009–2014
Strategic Advisor Era
Yahoo, Adobe, NetApp, PayPal — Built foundation in enterprise IC
2003–2009
External Comms Foundation
PR agencies, hospitality, government, multicultural marketing
BEYOND THE BIO
The Person Behind the Professional
I'm a first-generation American, born to Haitian immigrant parents who taught me that hard work and faith can take you anywhere. I speak Haitian- Creole (in addition to Spanish and French), and my heritage shapes how I think about communication across cultures.
I live on 3 acres in Central Texas with my husband, Christopher, and our three boys (including 11-year-old twins and a 13-year-old) who keep life interesting.
I'm a person of faith, and I've written devotionals for professionals navigating work and purpose. I'm also a certified life coach, a Toastmasters member, and someone who believes personal growth and professional excellence go hand in hand.
🌍
First-Gen American
Haitian heritage
👨👩👦👦
Mom of 3 Boys
Including twins!
✈️
World Traveler
Summer abroad
🎓
ENTJ / Enneagram 3
Yes, it checks out
WHAT DRIVES ME
My Core Values
Radical Honesty
I say what others won't—not to be controversial, but because sugarcoating doesn't serve anyone. Growth requires truth, even when it's uncomfortable.
Generous Expertise
I share what I know freely. The IC profession rises when we all get better, and hoarding knowledge helps no one.
Faith-Led Purpose
My work is an expression of my calling. I believe we're meant to use our gifts to serve others and make things better than we found them.
Relentless Growth
I'm always learning—MBA, certifications, new skills. The moment you think you've figured it all out is the moment you become irrelevant.
Let's Connect
Whether you want to book me to speak, explore working together, or just say hello—I'd love to hear from you.
Regine Nelson
Internal Communications Leader & Strategist helping IC and HR professionals elevate their craft—and helping companies build strategic communications functions.
CONNECT
© 2026 Regine Nelson. All rights reserved.
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