Hello

My Story

Melody Sandberg-McDonald has a proven track record of scaling revenue growth in K-12 and state agency markets. She has led sales strategies that generated billions in education revenue by aligning product positioning with public funding priorities and decision-maker needs. Melody doesn’t just execute sales plans, she studies governors’ agendas, state budgets, and grant funding streams. She understands how money flows through education systems from the top down and, builds strategic plans around it. She supports teams with hands-on, tactical execution in a collaborative and personally engaging manner.

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In her most recent past role, Vice President of Sales at ClassWallet, Melody helped grow the company from zero to adoption in more than 30 states, 17 of them at a state wide level. Her sales leadership resulted in the company managing billions of dollars in public education funds across federal grants (EANS, ESSER etc), state budgeted programs, legislated grant programs (like ESA/School Choice, and micro-grants), county, school district and school budgets. Her efforts played a key role in securing a $95 million capital investment and driving the company’s valuation to $200 million, by strategically expanding across state and federally funded education programs.

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Melody is also a committed grassroots advocate. In 2017, she founded the Florida Medical Rights Association, a nonprofit focused on protecting due process, accountability, and access to justice through legislative insurance reform. Over eight years, she built coalitions, mobilized public pressure, and worked across party lines. Her efforts culminated in the passage of HB 6017 through every House and Senate committee. The bill reached the governor’s desk in 2025, a rare achievement for grassroots legislation. Although the session ended with a veto, the campaign marked a significant milestone. Melody brings this same tenacity, precision, and strategic thinking to every engagement. She bridges public policy insight with business growth strategy.

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Melody brings more than strategy; she is actively engaged with the team and brings operational discipline. She knows how to build a sales organization for scalable, repeatable, and trackable success. She also knows when to get into the weeds to personally support major opportunities and when to coach and mentor team members. She is especially skilled around navigating multi-decision-maker, multimillion-dollar transactions that require patience, and precision. She is adept at providing hands-on coaching, offering the team backup, second voicing on deals, and leading the way with strategic handoffs when needed.

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In addition to her deep sales expertise, Melody understands the role and strategy of working with lobbyists and government relations teams. She knows how to align sales and lobbying efforts to influence policy outcomes, secure funding priorities, and position solutions effectively with legislative and agency leadership. Her ability to bridge the gap between government affairs and sales strategy provides an additional advantage for companies looking to scale in the public sector.

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With deep insight into public funding, political strategy, and a leadership style rooted in both vision and action, Melody is uniquely positioned to help companies grow beyond selling to districts and build trusted, sustainable sales channels at the state agency level.

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Core Beliefs
Melody's core beliefs drive her to grow into a better version of herself every day and to be fully present for herself and those around her. Each morning begins early with meditation, and a walk in the garden. A practice that grounds her in the present and helps her approach life with clarity and intention. After this, she feels energized and ready to face the day. Values like integrity, accountability, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and, most importantly, love guide everything she does.

Mission Driven
With over 25 years of experience in sales, Melody has witnessed countless visionaries with incredible ideas, services, and products either soar to success or fall short. Often, the key difference is the ability to sell. Sales is the lifeblood of any thriving organization, yet the act of selling is often undervalued or misunderstood, or even looked upon with shame, even among those deeply passionate about their mission.

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Growing up in a family of sales professionals, Melody learned early on that sales is not just about transactions; it’s about creating lasting impact and building genuine relationships. She finds nothing more rewarding than participating as great ideas transform into thriving businesses that not only succeed but also stimulate positive change, create jobs, and support families. Her passion lies in helping people and organizations align their positive purpose with strategic, effective sales solutions, ensuring that good ideas don't just survive, but truly thrive.

At her core, Melody is passionate about empowering education by ensuring schools, districts, and state agencies have access to the right tools and resources to drive student success. Part of her life mission has been bridging the gap between education and the solutions that empower those shaping the next generation, Melody strives to expand opportunities, remove barriers, and contribute to lasting student success.

Career Lessons

Some of the most important lessons Melody has learned throughout her career center around trusting herself and creating a healthy balance between personal well-being and professional commitment. She’s also learned that celebrating wins, especially the small ones, is essential. Having experienced the impact of downplaying success, she prioritizes acknowledgment and recognition. Celebrating achievements fosters a sense of accomplishment, boosts morale, and strengthens collaboration. For Melody, it isn’t just about joy, it’s about reinforcing what’s possible when dedication, heart, and teamwork come together.

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Family & personal
Melody has spent nearly two decades with her husband, and their relationship remains the healthiest and most fulfilling partnership of her life. They have built their happiness on mutual support and appreciation of every moment they share. She is also a proud mother to a wonderful adult daughter, whose love for art led her to earn a BFA from Florida Atlantic University. Recently, she has started following the family footsteps into sales. Their bond remains one of Melody’s greatest blessings.

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Her brother, who became an even more central figure after their parents' passing in 2016, reminds her daily of the joy that comes from laughter and lightness. When Melody tends toward seriousness, he brings fun. Melody also cherishes the lifelong friendships she shares with her three closest girlfriends, judgment-free, supportive relationships that have stood the test of time. She hosts support groups and workshops that focus on inner and career growth for women.

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Weekends are often spent surrounded by the people she loves. Whether relaxing in the backyard tiki hut, grilling, cooling off in the pool, or simply engaging in meaningful conversations, Melody embraces creativity, connection, and joy. She loves her dog, Gracie. Recognizing that time is finite, she is intentional about spending it with those who matter most.

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Passions and Inspiration
The beach and the garden are Melody’s two primary sanctuaries. The power of the ocean has brought her peace for as long as she can remember. She is passionate about growing food and is creating a sustainable home food forest. Although she has considered moving, South Florida has been her home since she was 10 years old, and continues to anchor her. When she travels, she is drawn to hiking trails, lakes, and mountains, seeking the recharge only nature can provide.

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Melody draws inspiration from a wide range of teachers and thought leaders, including Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Kelly Howell, Don Miguel Ruiz, James Redfield, Dan Millman, Evette Rose, Deepak Chopra, Barbara Brennan, and Shiny Unsal. Their collective wisdom shapes her outlook on life, leadership, and service.

A Gift
As a thank-you for reading her story, Melody offers a simple mantra that has profoundly shaped her perspective: "It doesn’t matter." When faced with emotional friction, she reminds herself of this truth. It allows her to release what truly is not important and redirect her energy toward what matters most—creating space for clarity, growth, and deeper peace.