Melissa Jenski

Melissa Jenski is the co-founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Good Grief, a Santa Fe-based gifting company that builds care packages for people navigating loss, illness, divorce, and other difficult seasons.

Before launching Good Grief, Melissa spent more than a decade working in design and specialty retail, spanning both retail storefronts and wholesale operations. That hands-on experience gave her a practical feel for what people actually need when they are grieving — thoughtful, specific items rather than generic well-wishes.

The idea for Good Grief came after Melissa was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Living through her own health challenges showed her how hard it can be to ask for or receive support. She brought her sister Kristin Mortensen into the venture — Kristin is a grief counselor, and her professional background ensured the care packages addressed real needs rather than vague sentiment. Together, they built a company around that combination: Melissa's retail instincts and Kristin's grief literacy.

Under Melissa's leadership, Good Grief expanded from a local Santa Fe concept into an e-commerce brand serving customers nationwide. She oversees fulfillment and inventory management, roles that draw directly on her retail background. The company also launched the Good Grief App, a social space where grieving people can connect and support one another privately. Melissa remains actively involved day-to-day from Santa Fe.