Kristyl Nelson

Helps scale visionary hospitality and real estate developments from concept to execution building high-performing teams, operational systems, and investor-ready growth strategies across global markets.

Featured Snapshot:

• 100+ global team members led across multiple countries
• 20+ multifamily real estate & development deals partnered on (DC/MD region)
• Operational leader behind the High Life Resort & Spa expansion (200+ rooms)
• Founder of TripAdvisor #1 restaurant in Negril, Jamaica
• Scaled 4 childcare/early education centers to full enrollment & multi-million revenue
• Reduced venture liabilities by 40%+ through operational strategy and controls

Kristyl Nelson is an American businesswoman and visionary Global COO who brings together entrepreneurial drive and operational mastery to build enduring businesses that inspire, perform, and uplift communities. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., and later moving with her family to Prince George’s County, Maryland, Kristyl grew up surrounded by entrepreneurial influence from her father and her mother, a successful businesswoman and economist. From an early age, she understood both creativity and business as tools for building legacy, a duality that continues to guide her work today.

Kristyl’s career spans hospitality, real estate development, and operational leadership. In Jamaica, she served on the senior leadership team of a beachfront boutique hotel, directing day-to-day operations, team performance, and guest experience; contributing to the property’s recognition among the Top 10 Resorts in Jamaica for three consecutive years. She later founded Kristyl’s International Restaurant, which became TripAdvisor’s #1 dining destination in Negril, earning recognition for its excellence and cultural influence.

In the United States, Kristyl co-founded University for Kids, a childcare and early education company in Washington, D.C., where she led operations across four state-of-the-art centers. Under her leadership, each location reached full enrollment and achieved multi-million-dollar revenue growth through systems-driven execution and high-performance culture. She also founded Plentii, a professional services firm specializing in accounting and financial services, where she streamlined financial reporting and strengthened operational infrastructure for dozens of business clients. In parallel, she has partnered on more than 20 multifamily real estate and development deals across the Washington, D.C. metro area, deepening her expertise in scaling complex projects from vision to execution.

Today, as President & Global COO of Kindah Enterprises, Kristyl leads global operations and serves as the operational architect behind Kindah’s worldwide expansion. She oversees critical verticals including HR, IT, construction, branding, investor relations, and marketing ensuring large-scale initiatives such as the High Life Resort & Spa expansion in Negril, Jamaica (200+ rooms) with a vision to expand Kindah City into the Middle East are executed with precision. Known for delivering measurable results, she has reduced liabilities across ventures by more than 40%, introduced forecasting systems that drive sustainable growth, and consistently built high-performing teams across diverse markets.

What sets Kristyl apart is her gift for leading through authentic connection and strategic alignment. Known affectionately as a “social butterfly,” her warm, confident, and engaging leadership style strengthens trust, collaboration, and long-term team cohesion. As a wellness advocate and visionary builder, she champions luxury developments designed for both performance and well-being — creating environments where investors, guests, and communities can thrive.

Kristyl studied Business, Commercial Real Estate, and Blockchain & Digital Assets at The Wharton School, and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She serves as a board member of Removing Borders Non-Profit and the Brighter Futures Foundation, and UFK is a strategic partner of Spaces in Action.

A powerhouse entrepreneur and operator, Kristyl Nelson continues to shape the future of global hospitality and real estate by building a foundation that combines luxury, sustainability, and wellness, creating systems and legacies that last for generations.