The Problem
Melissa Speaks Into
Most leaders, churches, and communities want to make a difference — but they don’t always know where to start. How do we serve the vulnerable in our city? How do we talk about trafficking and justice in ways that move people to act? How do we build organizations that are sustainable, not exhausting?
Melissa speaks into those questions with honesty, clarity, and conviction. She helps people care about what matters to God — and gives them practical ways to respond.
In 2012, she founded The Net, a nonprofit that has walked with more than 1,700 survivors of trafficking. In 2018, she co-founded The Worthy Co, a social enterprise that provides dignified employment to survivors through a retail store, candle studio, and e-commerce platform.
She has also co-founded several ventures with her husband Jamey, including BREWED, The 4Eleven, and Casa De Ice in Santa Fe.
Melissa Ice has been serving people in poverty and vulnerable populations locally and globally since 2002.
After earning a degree in social work from DBU and traveling on mission trips to China, Nepal, Morocco, and Ghana, she returned home with a heart to serve her own city.
Melissa has been recognized as Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40, Fort Worth Inc.’s 400 Most Influential People, and Fort Worth Magazine’s Best Philanthropist (Editor’s Choice, 2018)
Melissa is known as a keynote speaker who can both move a room and mobilize a church, a team, or a community.
Topics Melissa Speaks On
• Justice, trafficking, and God’s heart for the vulnerable
• Mobilizing churches to engage in local mission
• Raising up young leaders with courage and conviction
• Building nonprofits that grow without losing their heart
• Fundraising with integrity + donor engagement
• Social enterprise and creating dignified work
Speaking Services
• Keynotes
• Panels & fireside conversations
• Retreats & women’s gatherings
• Church teaching and vision casting
The Net
Nonprofit serving survivors of trafficking
The Worthy Co
Social enterprise employing women survivors
Ventures & Leadership
BREWED
Coffee shop & restaurant (co-founder)
The 4Eleven
Event space & warehouse redevelopment (co-founder)
Casa De Ice / Casa De Camino
Luxury Airbnb rentals in Santa Fe
Recognition & Press
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Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40
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Fort Worth Inc. 400 Most Influential People
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Fort Worth Magazine’s Best Philanthropist
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Featured in Fort Worth Report, Dallas Doing Good, Shoutout DFW, and more
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Fort Worth Magazine – "Sugar & Spice"
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Dallas Doing Good – "Dynamic Force Empowering Trafficking Survivors"
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Shoutout DFW – "Meet Melissa Ice"
A keynote speaker who can both move a room and mobilize a church, a team, or a community.
Melissa has been married to her husband Jamey for 16 years.
Together they’re raising their daughters Rosie (9) and Justice (6), who joined their family through adoption. They live in Fort Worth’s Near Southside and love traveling together — from local adventures to new destinations around the world.