Our Leadership

Melissa Acree is an accomplished professional with a rich and diverse background. Her career began in the public school system as a Special Education Teacher and soon transitioned to Training & Development in business. Her business exposure spans corporations, nonprofits, healthcare, accounting, and retail organizations.

She joined the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership in January 2013 as the Staff Development and Training Manager. In this newly created position, Melissa standardized the new hire training, managed the AIRS certification process, and developed SOPs for new initiatives with UWW, CDC, and community agencies. She was promoted to Director of Business Development and Training, in July 2016, where her leadership ability, collaborative nature, and strong interpersonal skills are being channeled with our United Way and state partners. Named to the position of Executive Director on May 1, 2017, she continues the work of building relationships with existing and future stakeholders. Melissa has a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from William Paterson and a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Melissa is actively involved in her church as a lector and a member of the fundraising committee. As a mother, she has spent the past 16 years advocating for services and programs for her son who has autism. For enjoyment, she likes cooking, traveling, reading, and participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Melissa and her husband, Doug, reside in Morris County with their three teenage children.

Kevin Donahue came to NJ 211 with years of management skill and technical expertise in his professional portfolio. A graduate of Seton Hall School of Law, he is a dedicated advocate of social justice with years of experience in affordable housing, subprime foreclosure and issues affecting those who are currently experiencing homelessness. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of St. Peter’s Haven, a non-profit organization located in Clifton, NJ, which is one of over 3,000 agencies listed in the NJ 211 resource database. 

Kevin recognizes the value of the organization’s reputation with regard to the data that is captured as people seek the help they need. “In order to make systemic change that will ultimately improve the lives of those who are struggling, decision makers must have a clear and comprehensive picture of what people need and where the gaps in service are. NJ 211 has that data and I am looking forward to finding more ways to harness it for the good of all,” he explains. With a solid professional history of implementing technologies that improve efficiencies with mission driven focus, Kevin is sure to prove an asset as NJ 211 continues to expand to meet the challenges of its time.