Melissa Pepper

Melissa Pepper has a diverse work experience spanning various industries and roles. Melissa is currently working as the Chief Strategy Officer at Russell, where they have been involved in the launch of a new website, hiring new employees, and implementing a strategic plan. Prior to that, Melissa founded Lead(h)er, a non-profit organization aimed at connecting women with experienced leaders. Melissa has also served as the President & Chief Strategy Officer at Total Solutions, Inc., where they were responsible for leading the company's strategy and growth plan. In addition, Melissa has experience as the Director of Marketing & Client Relations at Lane & Waterman LLP and as a Supervisor and Donor Relations Consultant at the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Melissa began their career as an ISACorps member at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, where they assisted first-generation college students with the college-going process.

Melissa Pepper earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communications from Augustana College, which they attended from 2005 to 2009. Following that, they pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Business Administration and Management, General at The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. Melissa'sMBA journey spanned from 2013 to 2018. Additionally, Melissa obtained several certifications in June, May, and April of 2023, including "Communicating with Emotional Intelligence," "Sales Coaching," "How to Be Caring While Holding Teams Accountable," and "Top 10 Rules for Highly Effective Leadership."