Melissa Helmbrecht
National
Melissa Helmbrecht is the Chief Executive Officer of Give Something Back (Give Back), a national nonprofit committed to helping students facing adversity navigate a path to post-secondary success. Under her leadership, Give Back continues to expand its mission of breaking down financial, social, and systemic barriers so that more young people can achieve their full potential.
Melissa’s appointment as CEO builds on a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for vulnerable youth — work deeply informed by her own experiences of trauma and hardship. After overcoming significant personal challenges as a teenager, Melissa dedicated her career to ensuring that children and families receive the support, resources, and advocacy she once lacked.
Prior to her role at Give Back, Melissa founded and served as CEO of Hopeloft, an innovation lab and community coworking space in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Since its founding in 2016, Hopeloft has become a regional hub for more than 30 nonprofit initiatives and social enterprises, collectively securing over $40 million in resources and serving more than 5,000 children and families annually.
Throughout her career, Melissa has led large-scale service initiatives, including organizing the National Day of Service following the September 11th attacks — mobilizing over three million volunteers from all 50 states and 150 countries. She has also held leadership roles in organizations focused on civic engagement, youth development, and social entrepreneurship, including Space Adventures and Splashlife, and has been widely recognized for her humanitarian contributions.
Melissa is a graduate of American University and the University of Denver College of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California. A passionate advocate for equity and education, she continues to inspire new generations of changemakers. When she’s not working, Melissa enjoys swimming a daily mile and spending time with her children.