Stuart Nelson, MA

President and Chief Executive Officer

Stuart Nelson serves as the Institute's President and Chief Executive Officer. In this capacity, Stuart supports the Institute’s staff and Board of Trustees in developing and implementing programs and initiatives that bridge religion, spirituality, health, and healing in various contexts. He also works closely with the staff and Board of Trustees to support development and operational priorities. Stuart joined the Institute full-time as a project manager in 2012. 

Stuart is passionate about bridging theory and practice, weaving together work in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to improve healthcare delivery and community-based health programs. Exploring the intersection of religious and spiritual orientation and mental health, he pioneered the Meaning Systems Interview and the Courage to Search, which are designed to help individuals consider and articulate their most important experiences and deeply held beliefs toward flourishing. In addition, Stuart co-created the Faith and Diabetes Initiative, which taps into the power of faith communities to address the growing epidemic of chronic diseases. His work has earned him numerous awards, recognitions, and guest speaker opportunities. 

A native of Houston, Stuart lived as a child and teenager in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe where he attended international primary and secondary schools. These experiences equipped him with a global perspective and instilled in him a deeper appreciation and understanding of religious and cultural traditions.

Stuart earned three Bachelor of Arts degrees from Rice University in cognitive science, religious studies, and psychology. He also has a Master of Arts degree in religious studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he focused on understanding religious identity through the lens of the scientific study of human cognition.

Stuart is now pursuing a doctoral degree in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University. He has chosen to write his dissertation on the relationship between the natural environment and psycho-spiritual transformation. 

Stuart has served on the boards and advisory councils of the Foundation for Contemporary Theology, Houston Audubon, Compassionate Houston, and the Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer. He is certified as a yoga teacher at the RYT200 level and is an Integrative Health and Wellness Coach.