Our Mission
→At Relational Capital, our mission is to empower life science companies and public health organizations to excel at the intersection of partnership, innovation, and collaboration. By fostering impactful relationships and deploying cutting-edge strategies, we aim to advance health outcomes, drive scientific breakthroughs, and create sustainable growth for our clients.
Our Story
Relational Capital: Empowering Growth, Transforming Success
Our story began with a simple yet powerful vision: to bridge the gap between ambition and achievement for businesses worldwide. In an era of rapid transformation, we recognized that success isn’t just about resources—it’s about relationships. Relational capital is the foundation upon which we build sustainable growth, strategic innovation, and meaningful impact for our partners in life sciences, technology, public health, and wealth and family offices..
Through years of experience, we’ve cultivated a trusted network that enables organizations to navigate complexities, seize opportunities, and drive innovation. Whether it’s accelerating clinical advancements, forging high-impact collaborations, or unlocking new market potential, we empower businesses to transcend barriers and achieve long-term success in an evolving corporate landscape.
Our commitment to excellence, adaptability, and transformation fuels everything we do. We don’t just advise—we partner, co-create, and lead with insight. By harnessing the power of expertise, innovation, and strategic vision, we help our clients unlock their full potential, maximize opportunities, and redefine success.
At Relational Capital, we don’t just shape businesses—we shape the future.
Our Values
Upholding standards that define everything we do
Integrity
At Relational Capital, we are committed to advancing life sciences and public health by building and fostering partnerships grounded in integrity. By fostering trustworthy collaborations among industry experts, researchers, and policymakers, we enhance knowledge sharing and drive sustainable innovations that improve global health outcomes.
Innovation
At Relational Capital, we specialize in building innovative strategies that transform enterprises through strategic alliances. By integrating cutting-edge ideation and fostering collaborative ecosystems, we enhance partnerships among researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders. Our commitment to innovation accelerates the development of groundbreaking solutions, driving improved health outcomes and advancing the global healthcare landscape.
Collaboration
At Relational Capital, we believe that collaboration is the key to transformative progress in life science and public health. By fostering meaningful partnerships across industries, academia, and government, we cultivate the relational capital necessary to drive innovation, accelerate research, and create sustainable health solutions. Our approach bridges disciplines, aligns stakeholders, and amplifies collective expertise—ensuring that scientific breakthroughs translate into real-world impact for communities worldwide.
Client-Centric Approach
At Relational Capital, we prioritize a client-centric approach to building relational capital, recognizing that understanding and addressing the unique needs of our clients is essential for advancing life science and public health enterprises. By deeply engaging with healthcare professionals, patients, and stakeholders, we foster collaborations that not only drive medical innovation but also enhance financial health. This commitment to client-centricity ensures that our solutions are tailored, impactful, and sustainable, leading to improved health outcomes and organizational success.
Sustainability
At Relational Capital, we are dedicated to fostering alignment with a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to transform life science and public health enterprises while enhancing public private partnerships. By integrating sustainable practices into our collaborative efforts, we strengthen partnerships among researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders. This commitment not only drives medical innovation but also ensures long-term economic viability and environmental responsibility, leading to improved health outcomes and a resilient healthcare ecosystem.
Meet the Team
MaryLisabeth Rich
Founder & CEO
MaryLisabeth Rich is the founder of Relational Capital, a consulting firm dedicated to fostering strategic partnerships that drive innovation and growth across the life sciences, public health, technology, and financial sectors. Her extensive career and leadership of 30 plus years reflects a steadfast commitment to collaboration and advancement in these industries.
Professional Background
President, CEO Roundtable on Cancer (January 2020 – Present): MaryLisabeth has led this coalition of executives dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer. Under her leadership, the organization has strengthened collaborations among industry leaders, academia, and government agencies to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
Senior Vice President of Development, American Cancer Society (ACS) Global Headquarters, Atlanta: Over nearly 15 years with ACS and the ACS Foundation, MaryLisabeth established herself as a public health thought leader. She played a pivotal role in building relationships across sectors, forging strategic partnerships, and securing resources to support initiatives in research, prevention, treatment, innovation, venture, and advocacy.
Executive Director, Semiconductor Research Corporation and SRC Education Alliance, Research Triangle Park, NC: In the private sector, MaryLisabeth facilitated collaborations between academia and the semiconductor industry, driving advancements in technology, research and education.
Academic Development Leadership Roles: MaryLisabeth has also led development and comprehensive campaign efforts at Research I Institutions such as Florida State University and North Carolina State University and liberal arts institution High Point University, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to organizational growth.
Education and Personal Life
A graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in Communications, MaryLisabeth resides with her family in Cary, North Carolina. Her extensive experience and dedication to building relational capital continue to make a significant impact on the organizations she serves and partners.
Melissa Northrop
Principal
Melissa Northrop is a passionate and accomplished healthcare advocate who has dedicated her career to making a meaningful impact on public health and advancing healthcare excellence. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Melissa began her professional journey in advancement at notable institutions such as Emory University, Georgia State University, and her alma mater, the University of Georgia.
Professional Background
Her path took a deeply personal turn following the loss of her mother to ovarian cancer, an experience that fueled her unwavering commitment to fighting the disease. This led her to a fulfilling role at the American Cancer Society (ACS), where she spent over six years. At ACS, Melissa recognized the critical importance of collaboration and partnerships in addressing the complex challenges of solving the cancer burden. She worked closely with the Extramural Research Team to advance research, foster collaborations, and fund Team Science. Her work significantly contributed to establishing strategic partnerships to tackle ovarian cancer, pediatric cancer, and accelerate innovations that improve patient outcomes.
Melissa’s career continued to evolve when she joined the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, focusing on healthcare innovation with a strong emphasis on health equity. She played a key role in creating the ACE (Access, Choice, and Education) Alliance, an initiative dedicated to improving diversity in clinical trials and ensuring that underserved communities have access to necessary treatments.
Now, at Relational Capital, Melissa brings her wealth of experience to help organizations navigate partnerships, innovation, and collaboration to drive the positive change needed in the healthcare ecosystem.
Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa is a devoted wife to Bryan and a loving mother to McConnell and Brooks. Her personal life is as important to her as her career, and she continues to use her expertise, network, and personal experiences to inspire progress in healthcare, making a lasting impact on individuals and communities.