In this episode of the Second in Command Podcast, guest host Sivana Brewer sits down with Dr. Melonie Boone, Chief Operating Officer of Edesia Nutrition, a Rhode Island–based nonprofit on a mission to end childhood malnutrition worldwide.

Dr. Boone shares her inspiring journey from corporate HR and executive consulting to joining a purpose-driven organization where every product saves lives. She opens up about leaving her consulting career to relocate her family and help Edesia scale globally while staying rooted in its humanitarian mission.

Together, Sivana and Melonie explore what it means to lead in a business where the stakes are life and death, balancing operational excellence with empathy, trust, and resilience. From creating healthy CEO-COO dynamics to rebuilding confidence after crisis, she offers grounded advice for leaders who want to make impact and results coexist.

[00:02:31] – Dr. Boone explains Edesia Nutrition’s mission to eradicate malnutrition and how each box of product saves a child’s life.

[00:04:29] – The personal loss that inspired her to pursue work with deeper purpose.

[00:06:27] – How consulting for Edesia’s CEO turned into a full-time COO opportunity.

[00:08:09] – Combining her lifelong drive to lead with her mother’s legacy of service.

[00:10:14] – What challenges she was first hired to solve and how her HR and strategy background helped.

[00:13:13] – Transitioning from consultant to COO and setting early “ground rules” for success.

[00:15:00] – Dividing responsibilities with the founder and managing blurred lines gracefully.

[00:16:20] – Facing two major business disruptions in her first six months on the job.

[00:18:47] – Learning to adapt her leadership style during crises and rebuild trust.

[00:20:18] – The power of transparency and “fighting together” with the CEO.

[00:22:29] – How her four academic degrees shaped her approach to leadership.

[00:24:08] – The lesson behind “anyone can show the numbers, but what do they mean?”

[00:26:05] – Knowing which “Melonie” to bring into each meeting—coach, operator, or psychologist.

[00:27:28] – How she keeps the pulse across 14 departments with weekly updates and morale checks.

[00:31:29] – Using technology and HRIS tools to streamline communication and one-on-ones.

[00:34:18] – Building cross-functional buy-in before making any system change.

[00:36:50] – Tracking team morale and staying intentionally visible to every shift.

[00:38:42] – Leading with authenticity as an introvert in a people-driven culture.

[00:41:26] – Creating connection and fun through culture rituals, bingo, and bagel Tuesdays.

[00:44:43] – What’s ahead: a 100,000 sq ft expansion, global growth, and personal goals for joy and balance.

[00:47:00] – Her advice for aspiring COOs, current operators, and CEOs hiring their “number two.”

• Edesia Nutrition
• Plumpy’Nut® – Edesia’s flagship product saving children worldwide
• Children Can’t Wait Campaign – Donate
• HEROic Leadership by Dr. Melonie Boone
• Paycor HRIS – Tool for one-on-ones, performance, and team engagement

Dr. Melonie Boone is the Chief Operating Officer of Edesia Nutrition, a global...