Remembering Dr. Melanie Sage
May 15, 2026
In loving memory of our friend, colleague, and WeSocialWork co-founder.
Dr. Melanie Sage was a social worker, educator, researcher, consultant, innovator, and friend whose curiosity, creativity, and compassion touched the lives of many.
Melanie passed away on May 15, 2026, in Mexico following complications from surgery. Her passing was an immense loss to her family, friends, colleagues, and the many people who knew her through her work in social work education, research, and professional practice.
For those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with Melanie, her contributions extended far beyond her professional accomplishments. She brought energy, honesty, humor, and a willingness to ask difficult questions about how we work, how we care for one another, and how we create meaningful change.
A Career Dedicated to Learning and Innovation
Throughout her career, Melanie explored the intersection of social work, technology, organizational change, and human connection.
Her professional experience included child welfare, psychiatric hospitals, the Veterans Administration's Housing First program, higher education, and the technology industry.
As a professor and researcher, Melanie helped students and colleagues think critically about how evidence, ethics, and empathy inform social work practice. She published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles, presented at more than 100 conference sessions, and shared her expertise through keynote presentations, training, and consultation.
Her work reflected a commitment to making organizations and systems more responsive, equitable, and human-centered.
Melanie was especially interested in motivational interviewing, implementation science, organizational culture, and how technology could support meaningful, ethical social work practice.
She also believed that social workers should have opportunities to explore different professional paths, including entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative work beyond traditional roles.
A Friendship That Helped Create WeSocialWork
Melanie and Laurel Iverson Hitchcock met as social work colleagues who shared an interest in technology and its implications for the profession.
Their collaboration grew into a close friendship grounded in curiosity, shared experiences, honest conversations, and a mutual commitment to supporting social workers.
Together, they envisioned WeSocialWork as a place where social workers could connect, share resources, learn from one another, and explore ways to build meaningful and sustainable professional lives.
Melanie brought a spirit of experimentation and possibility to that vision. She was willing to question assumptions, try something new, and reflect openly on both successes and setbacks.
She understood that social workers needed more than information and professional training. They also needed connection, encouragement, and spaces where they could be themselves.
Carrying Melanie's Legacy Forward
Melanie believed meaningful work shouldn't require people to sacrifice their well-being.
She challenged us to rethink professional success, organizational culture, technology, and how we support one another.
Her influence continues through the people she taught, the colleagues she worked alongside, the organizations she helped, the scholarship she contributed, and the friendships she built.
At WeSocialWork, we honor Melanie by continuing the work we began together: creating opportunities for social workers to share knowledge, connect with others, and grow in ways that are meaningful and sustainable.
Her creativity, curiosity, compassion, and commitment to doing things differently remain an important part of who we are.
Remembering Melanie Together
Melanie valued relationships, creativity, and meaningful connections. Her family, friends, and colleagues continue to honor her life through shared memories, stories, photographs, and poetry.
Melanie specifically asked that people write poems in her remembrance. This request reflects her appreciation for creativity, personal expression, and the connections she shared with others. In honoring her wishes, we have created a collection of poems written by those who knew and loved her. Together, these poems celebrate Melanie's life, the relationships she nurtured, and the lasting impact she had on others.
We invite those who knew Melanie to keep her memory alive through stories, photographs, poetry, and other expressions of love and remembrance.
Poems for Melanie
Explore the collection of poems written in Melanie's memory.
Share a Poem for Melanie
Would you like to contribute a poem in Melanie's memory? We welcome poems from friends, family, colleagues, and others whose lives she touched.
Submitted poems will be reviewed before being added to the collection.