# Melissa Smith

> Melissa D. Smith is president and CEO of WEX, the Portland, Maine payments and technology company she joined in 1997. A University of Maine accounting graduate and former Ernst & Young auditor, she served as CFO during WEX’s 2005 IPO and became CEO in January 2014. She is also an Equifax director and co-founder of sheJAMS and the Executive Women’s Forum.

- **Role:** President and Chief Executive Officer at WEX
- **Organizations:** WEX, Equifax, sheJAMS, Executive Women’s Forum, Ernst & Young (former employer)
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in business administration, major in accounting, University of Maine, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Maine, Honorary doctorate, Husson University
- **Known for:** CFO during WEX’s 2005 IPO., Led WEX during a period when annual revenue increased from $818 million in 2014 to $2.66 billion in 2025., Awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the University of Maine in 2021.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Graduated from the University of Maine and began her career at Ernst & Young.
- **1997** — Joined WEX as a senior financial analyst.
- **2001** — Became senior vice president, finance and CFO in September.
- **2005** — Served as CFO during WEX’s initial public offering.
- **2007** — Became CFO and executive vice president, finance and operations in November.
- **2010** — Co-founded sheJAMS.
- **2011** — Became president of the Americas in April.
- **2013** — Became WEX president in May.
- **2014** — Became CEO and a WEX director in January.
- **2019** — Became WEX board chair in September.
- **2020** — Joined the Equifax board in November.
- **2026** — Continued as president, CEO and director after David Foss became WEX chair on May 14.

## Achievements

- CFO during WEX’s 2005 IPO.
- Led WEX during a period when annual revenue increased from $818 million in 2014 to $2.66 billion in 2025.
- Awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the University of Maine in 2021.
- Recipient of a 2023 Deborah Morton Award from the University of New England.
- Co-founded the Executive Women’s Forum and sheJAMS.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — WEX reported second-quarter revenue of $753.5 million, up 14.2% year over year; favorable fuel-price and foreign-exchange effects contributed $63.8 million and $2.1 million respectively.
- **2026-05** — David Foss became WEX chair on May 14; Smith remained CEO, president and a board member.
- **2026-05** — WEX announced a cooperation agreement with Impactive Capital on May 4, including three new director nominees and separation of the chair and CEO roles.

## Links

- Website: https://www.wexinc.com/about/leadership/melissa-smith/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-d-smith

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/melissa-smith
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22