At Motion Project Foundation, the heart of our work lives in the people who show up every day with expertise, passion and an unwavering belief in what’s possible. One of those people is Melissa Conklin, MS, our Lead Neuro Recovery Specialist and Manager. She is someone whose dedication has helped change countless lives, including those of our clients, trainers, and even our founder, Natalie Castrogiovanni.
Melissa’s professional journey didn’t start in neurological recovery. Her original career path led her to serve as a Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation. When the opportunity to join Motion Project Foundation came along, it was a significant shift – something entirely different from what she had known. But she took a leap of faith, and nearly five years later, she hasn’t looked back.
For Melissa, the most rewarding part of her role is witnessing the profound impact our work has on clients navigating life after spinal cord injuries and neurological diagnoses.
“Our clients are amazing in their own ways,” Melissa shares. “Being able to see how they move forward after life-changing injuries is incredibly powerful.”
No two days look the same. Melissa’s role spans from hands-on client support, training sessions, program development and administrative leadership to overseeing all specialists’ programming, re-evaluating client plans and prioritizing being on the floor.
“My main priority is being out there with our specialists, helping them learn and grow,” she says.
One of Melissa’s most meaningful experiences at Motion Project Foundation involved a client who first arrived using a power wheelchair. He had leg movement but could not stand without assistance. Over the years, through consistent training and relentless effort, something remarkable happened. That client regained the ability to stand independently and eventually walk on his own.
Today, he uses a walker and even a hemi-walker during sessions.
“Knowing I helped someone regain that ability means everything to me,” Melissa says.
Melissa has also played a pivotal role in the journey of Motion Project Foundation’s founder, Natalie. The two have known each other for nearly five years, and their professional relationship has been uniquely reciprocal.
During training sessions, Melissa helped Natalie relearn how to move her body after years away from therapy – guiding her through movements she never thought she’d be able to do again.
“Watching that happen was incredible,” Melissa reflects. “It impacted me deeply to know I was helping her rediscover movement.”
Their shared passion, mindset, and drive fuel a powerful partnership that is rooted in motivating individuals with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions to reclaim their independence and move forward with confidence.
Melissa was recently honored as Motion Project Foundation’s very first Employee of the Month. It’s a recognition that speaks volumes about her leadership, compassion and impact.
“It’s truly an honor,” she says. “I love working here, not just helping our clients move, but also helping our specialists grow.”
We are beyond grateful for Melissa – for her courage to take a chance on something new, her commitment to our clients and her role in shaping the future of Motion Project Foundation!
Because of leaders like Melissa, hope doesn’t just rise — it moves!
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