Mwelwa "Mel" Kostrick is a testament to the idea that true success is not merely measured by accumulation, but by the ability to elevate others. Her journey, marked by ambitious pivots and a deep-seated commitment to service, is fundamentally about creating economic pathways where none previously existed.

Mel’s professional life began rooted in the stability and critical care environment of medicine, serving as a dedicated Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in the Washington DC area for 10 years. While this role provided a profound sense of purpose, a growing desire for scalable impact drove her toward the boardroom. She vigorously pursued and earned her MBA from The Ohio State University's Fisher School of Business, sharpening her analytical skills and laying the foundation for her future entrepreneurial endeavors.

This academic rigor soon translated into practical leadership after spending 4 years in the corporate world working for a Fortune 5 healthcare company. Demonstrating her technical acumen and foresight, Mel is building and leading two SAAS businesses, one of them being Health Security Solution, a pioneering software startup specializing in HIPAA-compliant healthcare cybersecurity. This experience proved her ability to navigate complex, high-stakes industries.

The true breakthrough, however, arrived through the unconventional route of acquisition. Mel and her husband strategically purchased, grew, and successfully sold their first e-commerce business in just two years. This achievement confirmed a powerful blueprint for rapid wealth creation and provided the foundational freedom to redefine their lives. Fueled by a passion to share this knowledge, Mel co-founded Build Your Breakthroughs, an electronic course and consulting business dedicated to teaching others the exact strategies of online business acquisition and sustainable growth.

Yet, the ultimate purpose lay in serving those facing the highest barriers. Recognizing that the tools for economic freedom—capital, knowledge, and network—are often systematically denied to the most ambitious women globally, Mel established Rising Phoenix Fund Inc.

As the Founder of this nonprofit, her mission is clear and compelling: to provide marginalized women entrepreneurs in underserved global communities with the financial resources, strategic training, and comprehensive network required to start, grow, and sustain thriving businesses. For Mel, the "rising" of the Phoenix is not just about personal achievement; it is about providing the leverage for every woman to find her own wings.

Mel remains anchored in her personal life, residing in Maryland with her husband and their two daughters. Her deep love of God and sincere appreciation for the many blessings in her life inform every entrepreneurial and philanthropic step she takes. Driven by a love for world travel that exposes her to diverse global needs, she is currently channeling her visionary energy into building a new business venture in Belize, demonstrating that her commitment to creating opportunities is truly borderless. Mel Kostrick’s story is a continuous loop of learning, achieving, and then turning back to lift others—a true leader who believes prosperity is only meaningful when it is widely shared.