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Melissa D. Smith is chair and chief executive officer of WEX (NYSE: WEX), a leading provider of financial technology services, where she leads the creation and execution of the company’s strategy as well as the development of talent and culture globally. Melissa assumed the role of CEO and a seat on the board of directors in January 2014 after serving as the company’s president since May 2013. Her background in finance is significant and dates back to the start of her career, at Ernst & Young. Over the years, Melissa has had responsibility for finance, IT, operations and business development in many roles at WEX. As senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer, she spearheaded the company’s IPO in 2005. Under Melissa’s leadership, WEX has experienced double-digit growth-to become a $1.7 billion company-and expanded globally beyond its core fleet offering to include healthcare and travel. Melissa demonstrates a strong commitment to the local business and nonprofit communities in Maine, where she currently serves on the not-for-profit board of directors for MaineHealth. She is cofounder of the Executive Women’s Forum and sheJAMs, an organization that fosters an atmosphere where women can train together noncompetitively. Melissa has been involved with the Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri for a Cure since its inception-both participating in the event and volunteering for it-and she has secured WEX as a corporate sponsor. Past service includes sitting on the board of directors for Dead River Company and the Center for Grieving Children. Melissa was named among PYMNTS.COM’s 2014 Most Innovative Women in Payments, PaymentSource’s 2014 and 2019 Most Influential Women in Payments, MaineBiz magazine’s 2012 “Women to Watch,” and named the 2013 “Woman of Distinction” by Girl Scouts of Maine. Specialties: strategic planning, team building, sales management, payment card processing