Senior Vice President & CFO, Melissa Clark, Recognized as a 2025 Business Leader of Color

August 25, 2025

Primera is excited to announce that Melissa Clark, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been honored by Chicago United as one of their distinguished 2025 Business Leaders of Color (BLC).

This esteemed recognition celebrates 50 exceptional individuals from Chicago’s business landscape who lead with purpose, spark innovation, and uplift their communities. Selected from a highly competitive pool, this year’s honorees exemplify resilience, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to civic progress.

Melissa recently marked a significant milestone as she recently celebrated her 10th anniversary with Primera. As Chief Financial Officer, she plays a pivotal role in safeguarding and strengthening the company’s financial health. With over 30 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, Melissa brings deep expertise and strategic insight into every facet of our firm’s financial operations. In addition to shaping long-term financial strategy, Melissa also oversees the day-to-day activities of the accounting team, ensuring operational excellence across the board.

What truly sets Melissa apart as a BLC honoree is her unwavering dedication to community service. A committed advocate, Melissa serves as Treasurer of the Primera Foundation and holds positions on the Board of Directors, as well as Treasurer, for Green City Market, Urban Growers Collective, and Chicago Chefs Cook. She also serves as Co-Chair and Steering Committee Member of the CFO Leadership Council (Chicago Chapter); Board Member of The Evolved Network; Board Member and IDEA Committee Chair for Financial Executives International (Chicago Chapter); Advisory Council Member for Youth Guidance’s WOW (Working on Womanhood) Program; National Advisory Council Member for CXO Now; and National Advisory Council Member for Chief Executive Group’s Women Leaders Connect. She is also an active participant in Chicago United. Through these roles, she exemplifies the spirit of service and leadership, using her financial expertise to strengthen organizations that uplift communities and drive meaningful change.

Congratulations to Melissa and all the 2025 BLC honorees for their inspiring contributions and dedication!

Since its inception in 2003, the BLC publication has been a powerful catalyst for advancing Board diversity across Fortune 1000 companies. Over the years, it has spotlighted hundreds of exceptional individuals, leaders whose talent, vision, and impact challenge the outdated notion that qualified executives of color are in short supply. As of today, more than 300 Board directorships are held by professionals featured in past editions, reflecting the publication’s enduring influence in shaping inclusive leadership in Chicago and beyond.

Primera has a proud history of leadership being recognized by the Business Leaders of Color publication. Co-founders Michael DeSantiago (2007) and Pedro Cevallos-Candau (2009) were both honored in previous years, followed by Senior Vice President, Lourdes Gonzalez, in 2021.