For over 10 years, Melanie has worked professionally with victims of crime, supporting children, families, and adult survivors. Her experience includes serving as a Domestic Violence Crisis Center Advocate, a Child/Adolescent and Adult Victim Advocate within the New Hampshire and Massachusetts court systems, and a Family Advocate for five years at a Child Advocacy Center. She is also trained by CornerHouse as a forensic interviewer of children.

Melanie earned her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Keene State College (NH) in 2013. After graduation, Melanie joined the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. From 2013 to 2015, she served a two-year term in national service with AmeriCorps Victim Assistance, working as a crisis center advocate on the night/overnight shift at an imminent danger shelter.

In 2015, Melanie relocated to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where she worked for six years at a local advocacy center. In her dual roles as Family Advocate and Forensic Interviewer, she supported families navigating various systems and provided comprehensive support to those affected by child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, witnessing domestic violence, or CSEC (child sexual exploitation and trafficking). She also conducted forensic interviews of children for law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Since 2012, Melanie has shared her story to inspire hope. In 2018, she contributed to the National Children's Alliance SHINE Campaign, participating in a work group and its unveiling at their Annual Leadership Conference Luncheon. She also assisted the CACs of Tennessee with their holiday appeal and was interviewed for their publication, "Improving Parent-Child Communication to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse."

Recognized as a national public speaker since 2019, Melanie has been featured on numerous blogs and podcasts and is a sought-after speaker at local and national conferences, sharing her message of hope and healing. She collaborates with organizations such as the SHIELD Task Force, PAVE: Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment, and The Granite State Children's Alliance, where she serves as a stakeholder for strategic planning and a survivor advocate. She also presents the KNOW and TELL Curriculum Training to churches and mandated reporters, offering a survivor's perspective on child abuse.

Melanie is a Subject Matter Expert contractor with the Zero Abuse Project for the SurvivorSpace Initiative (launched in 2023), creating survivor-led content, managing social media, and sharing her story. She also facilitates presentations of her survivor story at events and in K-12 schools and with I Have the Right To Org, educating students and educators.

From 2019 to 2021, Melanie was a member of the SHIELD Task Force (West Virginia) Speakers Bureau. In late 2020, she transitioned to a Training and Development Consultant role with SHIELD, also presenting with the Speakers Bureau alongside Dr. Timothy Saar, Forensic Psychologist. She currently serves on SHIELD’s board.

Melanie’s contributions to the field have been recognized with several awards, including the One with Courage Award (2020) from the Massachusetts Children's Alliance and the Honor of Dedication and Devotion to Children Plaque from the Children's Listening Place Child Advocacy Center (West Virginia).

Melanie serves on the Board of Directors for Sophia's Fund (Fighting Childhood Cancer on All Fronts) and Treasured Life Initiative (building a community to prevent sex trafficking and support survivors) in Massachusetts. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous conferences and training sessions to enhance her ability to serve victims of crime.