Melissa Saleh
“The pain of trauma can be the catalyst for personal growth, leading us to discover inner strength and resilience we never knew we possessed.“ -Judith Lewis Herman
Coming Soon:
A Story of Transcendence Over Unspeakable Trauma
My Story
Ten years ago, I experienced every mother's worst nightmare: I arrived at Mount Sinai Hospital to deliver my first child, only to learn that her heart had suddenly and inexplicably stopped.
That day destroyed nearly everything I thought I knew about life, this world, and my place in it. In the aftermath, I fought to stay afloat, be a "strong and resilient" woman, put on a brave face and keep going.
The results were catastrophic.
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During that time, I searched for someone, anyone, who had experienced birth trauma and infant loss and truly transcended it, and come out the other side.
I searched everywhere -- in literature, history, entertainment, pop culture. I found no one. Yes, there were celebrities and literary characters and historical figures who'd suffered stillbirth. But none of them turned out well. Or if they did (Oprah, Elon Musk) they never spoke publicly about what they had to do to come through it.
The more I shoved down the extreme trauma, grief and pain, the more the losses kept mounting. I lost a subsequent pregnancy, my marriage, my first company, most of my friends, my professional reputation, my financial security and my mental health.
Finally, I said "enough." I stacked an apartment's worth of possessions on a Brooklyn stoop with a sign reading "FREE STUFF", shut down the company, tossed stacks of prescriptions and pill bottles in the trash, emptied the storage unit filled with my daughter's never-used things, packed my remaining clothes into a 1992 Volvo sedan, and drove out of New York at dawn, rolling down my window and sticking out my hand to flip off all that pain and trauma as I sped over the Verrazano Bridge.
It took me six years, four cities, three states and two coasts to rebuild my Self and my Life from scratch. I had to shut down nearly everything in order to face the grief, trauma, pain and confusion.
So I decided: I will become the woman I so desperately needed ten years earlier. I will create a new model of what it can mean to be a mother who has suffered Infant Loss.
I have met many, many women carrying back-breaking pain from infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss and child loss. Every one of them is a silent, unsung warrior hero. Society has kept us hidden for centuries...maybe even longer. Our stories have been muffled, if they've been told at all.
I have no clue where this journey leads. But I do know that following this path is how I honor myself, my ancestors (who also suffered stillbirth and infant loss) and my children…all of them.
Professional Profile
Melissa Saleh is a force of nature—former lawyer and journalist turned serial entrepreneur, masterful storyteller, and advocate for survivors of trauma. With a career spanning technology, media, and brand strategy, she has shaped the narratives of Fortune 500 giants and startups alike, helping them carve out their place in a fast-moving world. As the co-founder of FairPlayAI, she works to promote equity and reduce bias in automated decision-making.
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Melissa is a sought-after speaker on personal transformation, resilience, and leadership, bringing raw honesty and hard-earned wisdom to every stage she steps onto. Having endured an ultimate trauma, the loss of a child, she speaks from a place of deep experience—turning pain into purpose and showing others how to navigate trauma with courage and hope. Her insights on the power of personal growth, the grit of women entrepreneurs, and the nuanced experiences of women leaders make her voice both necessary and unforgettable.
In her personal life, Melissa’s multiracial, interfaith marriage and family adds another layer to her perspective. She offers a refreshing take on what it means to bridge different worlds and how to navigate this while facing societal prejudices. Whether through her work or her personal journey, she challenges audiences to embrace change, turn adversity into strength, and lead with unshakable authenticity.
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Testimonials
"Melissa Saleh is the epitome of sharing her experience in order to be the guiding light for a mother in complete darkness. Her journey from the loss of her first child (at birth) to her life today is a testament to the strength, perseverance and tenacity of motherhood. She does not sugar-coat anything and that raw authenticity was awe inspiring and it was an absolute privilege to sit on the other side of the microphone- as a mother, business owner and woman."
Ashley Blackington, Host of the AND/BOTH Podcast
"Saleh’s mission is clear: to dismantle the stigma surrounding these losses, create a culture of compassion, and ensure no one suffers alone. By sharing her story, she is lighting the way for others to confront their grief, embrace healing, and find hope. Her journey exemplifies the power of transforming life’s deepest pain into a force for change, building a legacy of strength, connection, and purpose."
Times LA
