Rising from the Fire: How Melissa Swonger is Redefining Leadership Through Radical Kindness

There are leaders who inspire through words — and then there are those who embody transformation so fully that their presence alone becomes a testament to resilience. Melissa Swonger, trauma-informed coach, researcher, and founder of The Sage Hill Project, is one of those rare voices leading from the fire.

Her journey to leadership didn’t begin in a boardroom; it began in recovery. After a devastating injury left her facing possible amputation, Melissa spent years rebuilding not only her physical body but her entire life. “Doctors told me I might never walk again without assistance,” she recalls. “But what they didn’t account for was the power of will, faith, and the human spirit.”

Four years later, she walked — and eventually summited mountains — not just as a survivor, but as a woman reborn. That journey of rebuilding became the blueprint for her life’s work: teaching others how to rise from their own ashes and reclaim their power.

From Survival to Wholeness

Melissa’s professional mission was born from her personal healing. Through The Sage Hill Project, she helps individuals and organizations transform trauma into growth by integrating psychology, spirituality, and leadership. Her approach is both deeply human and evidence-based — blending her Ph.D. research in psychology with lived experience and faith-based wisdom.

“The Sage Hill Project is about creating a movement of radical kindness,” she explains. “It’s about mobilizing people to show up differently — for themselves, for their teams, for their communities. Healing doesn’t just happen within; it ripples outward.”

This philosophy has positioned Melissa as a sought-after voice in trauma recovery, leadership training, and resilience development. She speaks on stages, contributes to research, and coaches clients worldwide, equipping them with tools to move from survival mode into sustainable wholeness.

Leadership with Heart

Melissa’s leadership model redefines strength. She believes that true leadership begins with empathy, humility, and courage — not dominance or control. “Empathy is the foundation of emotional intelligence,” she says. “It’s what allows leaders to connect authentically, guide wisely, and build cultures of trust.”

Her upcoming book, Whom He Raised, explores this philosophy through the lens of her own transformation — a devotional narrative that blends psychology, theology, and lived experience. “I wrote it for the people who think they’ve gone too far or lost too much to begin again,” Melissa says. “I want them to know that what once buried you can also be the ground from which you rise.”

The Power of Radical Kindness

At the core of Melissa’s mission is a simple but revolutionary idea: kindness is not passive — it’s powerful. Through The Sage Hill Project’s programs, Melissa teaches “Kindness in Crisis,” a framework that helps people respond with grace even in moments of chaos. Her Kindness in Crisis Checklist offers practical ways to regulate emotions, extend compassion, and reframe challenges — tools she hopes will equip individuals and organizations alike.

“When people learn to lead with kindness, they stop reacting and start responding,” Melissa explains. “They create safer spaces for healing, innovation, and growth — and that’s where transformation happens.”

A Legacy of Empowerment

Melissa’s work has been featured in HANNA Magazine, Vitality Digest, and several global podcasts, including Sh!t Creek Survivors and The Reclamation Room. But beyond the interviews and accolades, her true legacy lies in the lives she’s touched.

From corporate leaders learning to lead with empathy, to trauma survivors rediscovering their worth, Melissa’s impact is both intimate and far-reaching. “Every time someone tells me they’ve found hope again — that’s the real success story,”she says.

As for what’s next? Melissa is expanding The Sage Hill Project into a global movement of healing and leadership. “I want to see a world where radical kindness is the standard — not the exception,” she says. “Because when we lead with heart, everything changes.”

Connect With Melissa

www.thesagehillproject.com

@MelissaSwonger @TheSageHillProject