Melissa Ludwig
Member Board Of Directors Fund at Girard College
Greater Philadelphia
Overview
Work Experience
Fearless Restaurants
2024 - Current
Brand Representative
2024
Board Chair NACD Philadelphia, acting Chapter CEO/President
2021
The NACD Philadelphia Chapter comprised of 1,000 governance board directors and business leaders in Philadelphia providing educational programs on current topics including ESG, AI and Cyber, Compensation and Geo Political landscape. The NACD prepares leaders to be effective in their role as a Board Director.
Board Member | 10+ years of Governance Experience, including Board Leadership Roles
2011
Current Board Roles: Board Chair, Acting CEO National Association for Corporate Directors (NACD) Philadelphia Chapter Board Chair | BoardX Ireland Board of Trustees | Moravian University NACD: Play a key role in advancing programming strategy with relevant and meaningful content, and contributed to numerous events as a speaker, panelist and organizer for both industry organizations. BoardX: Software platform to help non-profits organize priorities, compliance and provide the tools to optimize the organization Moravian University: is just the second university in the US to be part of a UNESCO World Heritage designation and the 8th in the world for this recognition. A private liberal arts university founded in 1742 Past Board Roles: Independent Board Director Public company CSS Industries (NYSE:CSS) a creative consumer products company in the craft, gift and seasonal category space selling the company to IG Design Group during board tenure | Human Resources Committee Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau ALS Association | Board Vice Chair, Philadelphia Chapter Philadelphia Fashion Incubator | Co-founder in collaboration with Center City District Susan G. Komen | Board Vice President, Philadelphia Chapter
Strategic Career Advisor
2017
I work one-to-one with entrepreneurs and executives to realize their business and career objectives. I’m a strong collaborator, connector and champion for women’s leadership advancement and facilitate meaningful relationships that enable others to thrive. My entrepreneurial clients are industry innovators—creatives, technologists and scientists—in early-stage ventures seeking an experienced advisor to help advance their strategic business efforts, address immediate and long-term risks, and build a strong operational foundation, with the right structure, talent and processes. My executive clients are business leaders and corporate functional heads seeking a confidential, outside advisor to help accelerate their path—and readiness—to operate effectively at the C-suite and board levels. If you have interest in learning more about how we can work together, please contact me at melissa.ludwig19@gmail.com to set up a time to speak.
Executive Coach
2017
Advisory Board Member
2022
Assist and support educational governance programming including Directors Dialogue and Academy
Business Fellow /Adjunct Professor
2021
Developing an Entrepreneurship and Innovation emphasis for the University Teaching Business Dynamics at the Bartley Business School
Chair Broad Street Angels
2019
Affiliated with The Union League of Philadelphia, Broad Street Angels helps fuel the success of entrepreneurs by providing the funding, expertise and relationships to advance their businesses.
The Official Angel Investing Group Comprised of Members Of the Union League of Philadelphia
Board Director Girard College Fund
2022
Independent Board Director
2019 - 2020
Served on the board of this creative consumer products public company as an expert in the retail industry and during its exit to IG Design Group based out of the UK.
CSS Industries, Inc. (CSS) is a company primarily engaged in the design, manufacture, procurement, distribution and sale
SVP/GVP
1991 - 2017
Led the vision, strategy and operation in an omnichannel environment for 40-store portfolio with cross-functional executive team and organization of up to 3,000 employees. Throughout career, P&L accountability ranged from $300M to $600M, with leadership scope across the Mid-Atlantic region. In a complex, operationally rigorous business environment serving a diverse customer base and employee population, built high-performing organizations, and led significant long-range planning, growth, and transformation. steered multiple M&A planning and integration, omnichannel shift, localization strategies, and multiple business launches, reinventions and turnarounds. Earlier in career, first women in 100+ years to lead Herald Square flagship, including external-facing efforts to build and promote the reinvented Macy’s brand in the market. First joined Macy’s in the buying and private brand divisions, gaining strong foundation in merchandising and end-to-end product development, including global sourcing and manufacturing. Led the vision, strategy and operation in an omnichannel environment for 40-store portfolio with cross-functional executive team and organization of up to 3,000 employees. Throughout career, P&L accountability ranged from $300M to $600M, with leadership scope across the Mid-Atlantic region. In a complex, operationally rigorous business environment serving a diverse customer base and employee population, built high-performing organizations, and led significant long-range planning, growth, and transformation. Steered M&A planning and integration, omnichannel shift, localization strategies, and multiple business launches, reinventions and turnarounds. Earlier in career, shepherded turnaround of Herald Square flagship, including external-facing efforts to build and promote the reinvented Macy’s brand in the market. Gained company recognition for metrics results.
Macy’s is a department store that retails fashion clothing, branded body care items, home decorations, and beauty products.
Raised $4,500,000,000.00 from JANA Partners.