Melissa Pepper
Chief Strategy Officer
As Chief Strategy Officer, Melissa Pepper leads the alignment of the company’s talent and growth strategies. Her responsibilities include articulating Russell’s unique value proposition through brand and marketing execution, leading business development pursuits, and fostering a culture of talent development and people-first initiatives.
She is passionate about serving the Quad Cities community and actively volunteers with multiple organizations, including Genesis Health System (Board Secretary), United Way of the Quad Cities (Women United), St. Paul Lutheran Church, and Lead(h)er (Founder). Melissa is the 2022 recipient of Augustana College’s Finest Under 40 Award and the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 award. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College and an MBA from The University of Iowa Tippie School of Business.