Awards Committee
By Karen Hansen, NJAWBO-Mercer Awards Committee

Congratulations to Nina Melker, First Senior Vice President of Yardville National Bank!

Nina has been selected as Mercer Chapter’s 2004 Woman of Achievement, making her eligible for the State organization’s Rose and Scroll Award. This award honors a non-NJAWBO member for her business, professional, and personal achievements; her involvement in assisting women business owners; and her contributions to her community.

Nina has a strong record of accomplishments in all these areas. She has worked tirelessly at Yardville National Bank for 20 years, and currently specializes in making loans to help small businesses. She is also the head of Community Relations for the bank, and is responsible for sponsorships and donations for non-profits and community events. Under her direction, Yardville National Bank has been a generous supporter of Mercer Chapter.

As a high-ranking woman at the bank, she serves as a role model for women throughout the organization. She also carries this influence beyond the bank as the host of a monthly talk show on WIMG 1300 and WZBN Channel 25. The show is called Woman to Woman, and Nina interviews women who are involved with non-profit organizations.

Nina also gives freely of her time to help her community. She is on the board of the following organizations: New Horizons in Autism, Workforce Investment Board, and Hamilton Township Meals on Wheels. She puts her considerable organizational skills to work on numerous committees of worthwhile organizations, including Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, the American Red Cross, Mercer County Community College, Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County, and the East Windsor Division of the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce. She also participates in a variety of activities for St. Anthony parish, Reynolds Middle School, and Steinert High School.

Several institutions have recognized Nina’s outstanding contributions, and have honored her with the following awards: Ask a Busy Person (Mercer County Chamber of Commerce), Community Compassion Award (Contact of Mercer in 1998), Volunteer of the Year (American Heart Association in 1999/2000), and Business Person of the Year (Nottingham High Future Business Leaders of America in 2001).

Congratulations, again, to Nina Melker, an exceptional business and community leader and role model for women.

A reminder: The deadline to nominate a NJAWBO member for Mercer Chapter’s Business Woman of the Year Award is February 1, 2004. This award honors a woman business owner who is a NJAWBO member and who has distinguished herself in her business, in NJAWBO and in her community.

If you would like to nominate someone for this award, or if you would like to be a member of the Awards Committee, please contact Karen Hansen at 732-398-9809 or khansen@aol.com.