2025 40 Under 40 Winners

Since joining AdventHealth Foundation West Florida in 2022, Melanie has transformed operations support for 12 hospital foundations, improving processes around gift processing, finance, reporting, CRM, and prospect research. She was a part of the team that won the AdventHealth West Florida Division Love Me Service Award. AdventHealth gives out awards annually to teams and individuals who exemplify the four service standards of the organization (Keep Me Safe, Own It, Love Me and Make it Easy). 
 
Melanie's undergraduate research has been featured in scientific journals PLOS One and Landscape and Urban Planning. With a background in biology and published academic research, Melanie brings analytical precision and evidence-based thinking to her work, using data and testing to drive strategic operational improvements in philanthropy.

I entered healthcare philanthropy when a trusted mentor recognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue a leadership role at a local hospital foundation. While I had dedicated years to working with smaller, child-centered service organizations, I had yet to take on a managerial position within a larger healthcare setting. This transition provided an opportunity to expand my impact, utilizing my experience on a broader scale to drive initiatives that genuinely enhance patient care and community health.

I chose healthcare philanthropy because I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that Healthcare Providers can have. Observing a loved one struggle to receive quality care in a for-profit hospital underscored for me the essential need to prioritize patient-centric care over profit. This experience inspired me to leverage my skills to help ensure that hospitals receiving support from our Foundation can deliver the comprehensive, compassionate care that is often lacking in profit-driven settings.

A crucial pivot was when I realized that working solely within grassroots organizations limited the extent of impact I could affect. Transitioning into healthcare philanthropy enabled me to improve the lives of many more people. This shift — from intimate, localized efforts to large initiatives at a hospital foundation — has fundamentally reshaped my career and deepened my commitment to improving patient outcomes.

My greatest passion is supporting animal welfare. From a young age, I've been drawn to the idea of offering compassion and care to those who often cannot speak for themselves. In healthcare philanthropy, I work to ensure that quality care and innovative solutions reach those in need, much like the dedicated efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable animals. Ultimately, both endeavors are grounded in the principle that every life deserves attention, medical care, and the opportunity to thrive.

Both healthcare and philanthropy are continually evolving. It's essential to keep up with emerging trends, innovations, and regulatory changes, allowing you to adapt your strategies and maximize the impact of your contributions.