Melmark President and CEO Named Among Top 100 of Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts for Fifth Consecutive Year
Annual award highlights women business leaders who are making a significant impact on the state’s economy
Rita M. Gardner, President and CEO of Melmark, Inc. has been named among The Women’s Edge’s list of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts for 2022. This is the fifth consecutive year Gardner and Melmark have made the list generated by The Women’s Edge (formerly The Commonwealth Institute) together with its partner The Boston Globe. The list includes elite business leaders from across the state of Massachusetts who generated nearly $72 billion in total revenue in 2021, demonstrating that women are key drivers of the state’s economy.
Rita M. Gardner, M.P.H., LABA, BCBA, CDE® leads Melmark’s almost $110-million multi-state operations across all of its divisions. Melmark’s programs include premier private special education schools, professional development, training and research centers. The organization’s clinically sophisticated, evidence-based programs serve individuals with the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, acquired brain injuries, medical fragility and severe challenging behaviors.
Gardner, who is the co-founder of Melmark New England and Melmark Carolinas, is an accomplished legislative advocate, and her work has positively influenced services for individuals diagnosed with autism throughout the United States. One of her most notable accomplishments as an advocate is her involvement in the establishment of multiple public policy pieces that improve services to students and adults with autism and their families.
“It is an honor to be in company with so many esteemed and inspirational female executives,” said Gardner. “Engaging in the work of advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the diverse employees that serve them, and delivering the highest level of professionalism and care for every individual, every day, is central to Melmark’s mission. I am proud to lead this work alongside my highly skilled colleagues as Melmark New England looks forward to celebrating its 25th anniversary year serving individuals from this region and beyond.”
Gardner received her Master of Public Health degree from Boston University’s School of Public Health in the School of Medicine. Most important she holds the heart of Melmark’s mission at the core of her professional standards. She is dedicated to every child, adult and family served at Melmark, as well as every member of Melmark’s professional staff.
Melmark is a multi-state human service provider with premier special education schools, professional development, training, and research centers. Programs and services include children’s day schools, after-school and residential programs, adult day and adult residential programs. Other services include public school consultation and family outreach, early intervention services, a formal professional development program including onsite graduate education, an Expert Speakers Series and the creation and design of EnvisionSMART™, which includes a series of professional practitioner manuals and proprietary software programs designed to replicate the Melmark Model of Program Development for public schools and other service providers. Melmark is Mission First. Every Individual, Every Day.
