Meet Mel
Melissa Bryce is a mother, nonprofit leader, and educator. Most recently, she has served as the Executive Director of the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders, an international nonprofit public charity and patient advocacy group focused on empowering families and funding groundbreaking research on peroxisomal disorders, rare conditions generally terminal in childhood.
Bryce’s nonprofit career is closely tied to her personal experience as a mother and teacher. After her daughter Ginny was diagnosed with a rare disease, Bryce was instrumental in forming a nonprofit public charity focused on raising funds for research, connecting and supporting families, and promoting awareness of peroxisomal disorders.
While Bryce was leading grassroots efforts to form a nonprofit, she was learning firsthand how to navigate the healthcare and educational systems to support Ginny’s multifaceted needs. She became an expert advocate for Ginny, mobilizing and coordinating a team of medical specialists in multiple states to address her medical needs. It felt like a full-time job. Ginny’s life (2008-2015) sparked in Melissa a passion for creating positive change and helping others navigate hardships.
As a classroom teacher, Melissa was well-versed in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) but had a much more difficult experience navigating the IEP process as Ginny’s mother. Melissa recognized the immense stress on parents and caregivers of individuals with special educational and healthcare needs, which led to her advocacy involvement at the local, state, and national levels.
In addition to Ginny, Melissa is the mother of Jack (age 12) and Avery (age 11), students at Jenks Public Schools. She has served in various community roles, including at the Little Light House, the Parent Advisory Council at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, and as a member of the Church of Saint Mary, where she serves as a lector. She has received several awards for her work, including a Lasallian Founder’s Award in 2019 and a Telly Award in 2023. She is a sought-after speaker on the life cycle of a nonprofit and best practices for patient advocacy organizations.
Melissa’s family roots run deep in Oklahoma. She is a graduate of Bishop Kelley High School and the University of Tulsa. Bryce is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She loves spending time with her large (and loud) extended family, playing tennis with her kids, taking walks in the neighborhood, reading, traveling, and honoring Ginny’s legacy through her philanthropic and community work.
