Spirit of Maryville 2020: Melissa Lenz

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In her work as an Edward Jones financial adviser, Melissa Lenz loves seeing her clients realize their dreams, from sending a child to college to embarking on a happy retirement. But her efforts to give back extend beyond the workplace.

The Maryville marketing major is past president of the Kiwanis Club of Crestwood-Sunset Hills and has worked with the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis. She’s also a member of the United Way’s de Tocqueville Society Cabinet.

Lenz sees her community work as a way of paying forward the support she’s received. Her family, friends and Maryville professors, including John Lewington, PhD, retired dean and past professor of marketing and management in the Simon School of Business, encouraged her as she worked her way into her position at Edward Jones. In her role, she’s earned numerous accolades including a 2019 Spirit of Caring Award. “People have gone to bat for me,” she said. “I want to make a difference in people’s lives because so many people have made a difference in mine.”