Company: CBIZ, Inc., Cleveland, OH, U.S.A
Entry Submitted By: Gregory|FCA Communications
Company Description: CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ) provides professional financial and employee management services to clients through more than 5,000 associates in 130 offices in 37 states nationwide. CBIZ Women’s Advantage is a program that develops and positions CBIZ’s women associates, offering them leadership, sponsorship and networking advice and opportunities, with the goal of helping women succeed in business.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Maverick of the Year

Nomination Title: Nancy Mellard, National Leader, CBIZ Women’s Advantage

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated woman since the beginning of July last year (up to 500 words):

Nancy Mellard serves on numerous Boards of Directors, showcasing her professional and personal achievements and goals. Ms. Mellard serves on the Central Exchange Board (2011-2013). This organization is a not-for-profit for women looking to reach their full personal and professional potential. She is in line to become Chair January 2014. Ms. Mellard is also Chair for WinWin KC (January 2012), a not-for-profit LLC under the Central Exchange Foundation that aims to have gender diversity at the top of Kansas City region companies and their boards.

She is the only female on the Board of Directors of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, which represents the top commercial insurance brokers around the world (October 2011). Ms. Mellard is also Board Chair for Santa Marta Catholic-sponsored continuum of care community (September 2011), which helps senior adults live active lives.

Ms. Mellard is the National Leader of CBIZ Women’s Advantage - a program that develops and positions CBIZ’s women associates, offering them leadership, sponsorship and networking advice and opportunities. This program was directly responsible, through its Women’s Lead Groups, for providing $1.4 million in new business revenue to CBIZ, Inc. in 2011. (CBIZ records this at the end of each calendar/fiscal year). Year-to-date in 2012, the Program has generated $600,500 in new business (through July 31, 2012).

CBIZ Women’s Advantage (CWA) partners with Dress for Success (DFS), a program that supports the economic independence of disadvantaged women. In 2011, CWA raised $49,633 for DFS. In addition, CWA collected 5,240 items (work attire, accessories) for DFS in 2011.

In April 2012, Ms. Mellard was asked to be a contributor to CBIZ’s blog, “Human Capitalizing.” In her posts, she weighs in on issues that impact women professionals and details her work with CWA.

Ms. Mellard is also called on by the media for her insight on matters related to women in the workforce. In May 2012, she was quoted in an article on MSNBC.com called “For women in the workplace, it's still about looks not deeds.” In April 2012, she was profiled by The Glass Hammer, an online community designed for women executives in financial services, law and business. Ms. Mellard’s professional background, advice for women and work with CWA was featured. Also, in February 2012, she was featured in a Question and Answer piece on LoveToKnow.com, a career advice site for women. Ms. Mellard gave her advice on networking.

Ms. Mellard is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Employee Services Division of CBIZ, Inc. and has over 30 years experience in the legal and insurance industries. CBIZ (NYSE: CBZ) is one of the nation's leading providers of business services, providing a comprehensive range of services, products and solutions that help businesses grow and succeed by better managing their finances and employees.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated woman (up to 100 words):

Nancy Mellard is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Employee Services Division of CBIZ, Inc. and has over 30 years experience in legal and insurance industries. Six years ago, Ms. Mellard was chosen by CBIZ’s CEO to be national leader of and build a women’s program- CBIZ Women’s Advantage (CWA). This program develops and positions CBIZ’s women associates (3,000 plus), offering them leadership, sponsorship, networking advice and opportunities. Professional development, networking, revenue generation, community outreach and supporting CBIZ women are goals Ms. Mellard established for this Program. CWA is a proven business case for diversity and bottom-line profitability.