New Team Member Spotlight: Melanie Rivers, Program Manager
We’re excited to welcome Melanie Rivers, a new member to the Better2gether team! With a strong background in nonprofit program management and a heart deeply rooted in mission-driven work, she brings both professional expertise and personal passion to her role.
What professional experiences led you to Better2gether?
She has spent most of her career in the nonprofit sector, focusing on program management and development. Drawn to work where purpose leads the way, she has always believed that the why behind the work matters just as much as the what. Finding an organization where her skills align with a cause she truly cares about has always been a top priority.
What was your journey to Better2gether, and what does your current role involve?
After taking several years away from the workforce to focus on raising her children and caring for aging parents, she felt the time was right to return. Re-entering the nonprofit world felt like a natural fit, and Better2gether stood out as the perfect opportunity to contribute meaningfully while maintaining a healthy work-life balance through a part-time role.
What inspires you to work with families of children with medical complexity?
Her motivation is deeply personal. She witnessed firsthand the challenges of raising a child with medical complexity through her nephew, Noah, who was born with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum. Watching her brother and sister-in-law navigate that journey—often feeling isolated and overwhelmed—left a lasting impact. She often reflects on how different their experience might have been if an organization like Better2gether had been there to support them. That perspective fuels her passion every day.
Has there been a particularly meaningful moment for you so far?
Although she’s only been with Better2gether for a couple of months, the Holiday Party was an unforgettable moment. Meeting families in person for the first time, seeing the kids having fun, and hearing parents express genuine gratitude for the community made the mission feel incredibly real and personal.
How do you see Better2gether’s impact on families?
She believes every child deserves the best life possible—and every family deserves to feel supported, seen, and heard. Better2gether provides a lifeline for families who might otherwise feel lost or invisible within the medical system, reminding them they never have to walk this journey alone.
Just for fun—what’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
In her next life, she plans to be a professional dancer!
We’re so grateful to have her on the Better2gether team and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll continue to make alongside our families.