Melissa Merritt, Director of Human Resources

Melissa Merritt is the director of human resources at Pender & Coward. She brings to the firm over 15 years of generalized HR experience in all functional areas including talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, learning and development, performance management, employee relations, and safety and risk management. Melissa has a special interest in employee engagement and diversity and inclusion initiatives, and she serves on the firm's diversity, equity and inclusion committee.

Prior to joining Pender & Coward, Melissa worked in human resources for two Virginia-based property management and development companies.

For over a decade, Melissa served as a United Way Employee Campaign Coordinator, organizing annual giving campaigns and employee volunteer events. She is an active volunteer at St. Matthews School and she enjoys volunteering with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.  

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management from Saint Leo University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Human Resource Development degree from Clemson University.  She currently holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation and is a member of both the national and Hampton Roads chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).