Professional Services 2023: RUTH ‘PAIGE’ CLAY

Clay joined the human resources and operations firm, one of Marsh McLennan’s global businesses, in 2011 and uses her expertise in talent assessment and development, organizational design and strategy creation to serve clients in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

Prior to working at Mercer, Clay was senior vice president of global human resources for Encore Capital Group and vice president and head of human resources for Capital One Financial. She has degrees from Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University.

A former chair of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, she still serves on its board and is an advisory board member for Virginia Tech’s Apex Center for Entrepreneurs.

Mercer employs 25,000 people worldwide, with almost 100 employees in Virginia. Its client base includes manufacturing, health care, higher education, insurance and financial services businesses. In March, Mercer acquired Leapgen, a Minneapolis-based HR tech consulting firm with McDonald’s and Adobe among its clients.

Also this year, the company’s work design team was recognized in the talent analytics category for Best Advance in Practical AI at the HR Tech Awards, and Clay received directorship certification from the National Association of Corporate Directors.