Meet the Team: Melyssa Jaskiewicz, Founder of Leveling The Fields

As part of our 2026 initiatives, the team at Leveling The Fields is excited to launch a Meet the Team series—an opportunity to introduce the people behind the mission. Our goal is to offer a closer look into the lives, values, and motivations of those leading this work, and to show just how deeply this mission matters to each of us.

When reviewing our list of volunteers and leaders, there was no better place to begin than with our founder and guiding force, Melyssa Jaskiewicz.

A Life Shaped by Sports

For Melyssa, sports were never optional—they were a way of life. Growing up, the question wasn’t if she would play sports, but which ones she would play.

With two parents who were avid tennis players and lifelong fans, sports were a constant presence in her household. Matches played in the background, conversations revolved around competition, and passion for athletics was woven into everyday life.

When asked about her mom, Melyssa smiled as she recalled how, during major tennis tournaments, the match would be playing on every television in the house—allowing her mom to stay productive without missing a single point.

Her dad’s love of sports showed up differently, but just as memorably. A former tennis player at the University of Massachusetts, he was also known for trips with friends that included catching four Major League Baseball games in four different cities—all in one weekend.

Finding Her Place on a Team

Unlike her parents, Melyssa didn’t immediately find “her” sport. She moved from soccer, to softball, to ice skating, always knowing she loved sports—but unsure where she truly belonged.

That changed when she found field hockey.

When asked why she chose to play in high school—and later walked on to the team during her freshman year of college—her answer was simple:

“I wanted to be on a team.”

She expanded on the instant sense of connection that sports provide. How victories feel bigger when they’re shared. How challenges and setbacks feel more manageable when you’re surrounded by teammates who are experiencing them alongside you.

Unfortunately, after her freshman year, Melyssa transferred to a school without a field hockey program. While she didn’t fully grasp it at the time, her days of competitive play were coming to an end.

The lessons, however, were just beginning.

Carrying the Competitive Edge Forward

After majoring in E-Commerce, Melyssa entered the workforce through a variety of sales roles, eventually landing the VP of Sales position at Sideline Sports, where her competitive drive continues to serve her well. She describes an internal mindset of not allowing yourself to get stopped—of turning losses into motivation rather than roadblocks.

It’s a perspective she believes is deeply connected to her background in sports, even if not always consciously.

But the most pivotal move—the one that ultimately led to Leveling The Fields—came later.

A Second Act with Purpose

Entrepreneurship is rarely comfortable, and starting a nonprofit is no exception. When many of her peers were beginning to talk about retirement, Melyssa found herself thinking about what she calls her “second act.”

For her, that vision included flexibility, meaningful work, and collaboration with driven, thoughtful people who care deeply about making a difference for future generations.

Her background in sports, her professional experience, and her understanding of the impact athletics can have on young people all converged—creating a natural crossroads that led to the founding of Leveling The Fields.

While Melyssa comes from a family of entrepreneurs, she is quick to acknowledge that launching a nonprofit was not a fearless decision. It was a leap—one guided not by certainty, but by conviction.

Leadership Rooted in Teamwork

While Melyssa may credit many life experiences for shaping her leadership style, those of us who work closely with her see clear parallels between successful athletes and her approach as a leader:

1. She leads without ego.
   The mission always comes first. Melyssa consistently seeks to learn, grow, and listen—never positioning herself as the center of the story.

2. She builds game plans.
   Goals matter, but execution matters more. Thoughtful planning and intentional action guide every step forward.

3. She connects people.
   Melyssa understands that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Whether recruiting new volunteers or strengthening existing relationships, she is always building community.

4. She practices servant leadership.
   Her focus is on empowering others, removing barriers, and creating opportunities for people to succeed together.

Throughout the creation of Leveling The Fields, Melyssa often reflects on how many pieces seem to be falling into place at just the right time. New volunteers, meaningful partnerships, fundraising opportunities, and guidance from experienced nonprofit leaders have appeared consistently along the way.

As she puts it:

“It feels like a red carpet just keeps unrolling. And when the right people keep showing up at the right time, it tells me we have to keep going.”

Courage Over Fearlessness

While young Melyssa may have struggled to “find her thing,” she has undoubtedly found it now. The Charleston community—and every young athlete impacted by Leveling The Fields—is better because of it.

Building a nonprofit is no small feat, and Melyssa would rather give it her all than look back wondering what if. She doesn’t lead without fear—because truly fearless leaders don’t exist.

Instead, she leads with confidence and courage.

Because real confidence isn’t taking the leap when you know everything will work out.
It’s taking the leap when you know it might not—but the mission matters too much not to try. Sometimes the most meaningful impact begins with someone simply deciding that what shaped them is worth sharing. And because of that, here at Leveling The Fields, we are incredibly excited to keep going.

Thank you for reading and for being a part of our journey.

The Leveling The Fields Team