Our Team
Introduction to our team
Meet Your NJ 211 Team
Dedicated. Passionate. Diverse. NJ 211 is composed of a proud group of individuals that truly care about helping New Jersey residents. After all, we live here, too. And we want to make sure our
neighbors get the help they need, when they need it, working closely with our Board of Trustees to achieve our mission and our goals.
Our team is diverse, just like the state of New Jersey. We celebrate our differences and embody the core values of NJ 211—compassion, accountability, reliability, ethical, and service excellence. And we bring years of experience in community service to NJ 211.
Related pages
Leadership Team
Learn more about Melissa
Melissa Acree serves as the Chief Executive Officer of NJ 211, a position she has held since May of 2017, providing executive leadership and vision to the organization. In 2022, she led the development of a three-year strategic plan, working in conjunction with the board of trustees and executives, to reset priorities and define future goals for the organization.
Prior to becoming Executive Director, Melissa joined the organization in 2013 when she was hired to spearhead a new, professional training and development program for the organization. She was promoted in 2016 to Director of Business Development where she launched the ReachNJ hotline to address the needs of those suffering from the opioid overdose epidemic. Melissa is known for her ability to respond at the highest level when needed. This trait was evident in the 22 months that NJ 211 elevated its operation to meet the needs of the state and our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her collaborative nature, ability to lead by example, and strong interpersonal skills have resulted in new and meaningful partnerships. Melissa is also actively involved in the national initiatives of the 211 National Network.
Connect with Melissa macree@nj211.org
Learn more about Tammy
Tammy Wilson serves as the Chief Operating Officer at NJ 211 and oversees our internal operations, drives strategic initiatives, and ensures our services meet the needs of the communities and partners we serve. She works closely with all departments to enhance efficiency, strengthen partnerships, and drive organizational growth. Tammy brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit management. She began her career in mental health and addiction before transitioning to residential housing and day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. Her clinical experience shapes her leadership philosophy: employees must maintain balance and prioritize self-care to perform at their best. A healthy mind, body, and spirit fuel creativity, teamwork, and resilience in tackling the challenges of human service work.
Before joining NJ 211 in March 2025, Tammy served as Senior Vice President of Programs and Operations at another nonprofit, where she led a multidisciplinary team supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. With a strong background in mental health and advocacy for vulnerable populations, she oversees program development, operational strategy, and service expansion. Her expertise in building effective teams and enhancing program outcomes is instrumental to our success.
Connect with Tammy twilson@nj211.org
Learn more about Don
Don Bennett serves as the Controller of NJ 211 and is responsible for all aspects of the financial operations of the organization. Don earned his Bachelor’s degree and MBA in Accounting from William Paterson University. With vast financial experience in public accounting and higher education, Don brings over 20 years of accounting, budgetary, and operational knowledge to NJ 211. During his career, he has served in many roles and collaborated with cross-functional teams to solve complex organizational issues.
Don joined the organization in February 2023 as a Senior Accountant and was instrumental in onboarding the organization’s new PEO leading to upgrades and improvements in payroll, timekeeping, and accounting processes. He was promoted to Controller in January 2024 and is committed to continuous system and process improvement to help build organizational capacity at NJ 211.
Connect with Don dbennett@nj211.org
Learn more about Rory
Rory began his tenure at NJ 211 in the middle of 2019. Educated as a mathematician, Rory has spent the last 42 years doing technology in various roles – development, testing, operations, architecture, analytics and so on – across multiple industries – health care, financial, telecom, broadcast and streaming media, and now nonprofit. He is currently the IT Director, and with his team help keep the technology that NJ 211 utilizes running smoothly, while attempting to find new and interesting tech to introduce to the organization to help better serve those we help.
When Rory isn’t playing with computers, he and his wife run a small homestead farm, and is actively involved in environmental conservation, history, culture and historic preservation projects locally and Somerset County.
Connect with Rory rbritt@nj211.org
Learn more about Dana
Dana Catapano is the Director of Community Engagement at NJ 211, where she has been a dedicated member of the team since 2018. During her tenure, she has held a variety of roles across the organization, including positions in marketing, database management, and the contact center. This diverse experience has provided her with a deep understanding of community needs, service delivery, and the critical role 211 plays in connecting people to help.
In her current role, Dana leads NJ 211's community engagement efforts, overseeing outreach initiatives, the organization’s website, resource database, and innovative text messaging platform. She is passionate about strengthening connections between individuals and the services they need, fostering meaningful partnerships, and leveraging technology to improve access to resources and enhance community impact.
Dana holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Science and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing, combining a people-centered approach with strategic thinking and collaborative leadership.
Outside of work, Dana enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and relaxing at the beach. She is also a proud sports mom who can often be found cheering on her children from the sidelines at lacrosse and hockey games.
Learn more about Jamie
Jamie DePasquale joined NJ 211 as Development Director in March 2025.
Jamie is a graduate of Rutgers University and brings extensive experience, particularly in corporate and foundation development, to her role at NJ 211. She started her career in public relations, where she honed her writing, sales, presentation and strategic planning skills. Her expertise in sales and marketing led her to corporate development when she transitioned to the nonprofit field. She has raised significant dollars through sponsorship, foundation giving and cause marketing for organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, Special Olympics, and Center for Hope Hospice. She also implemented successful awareness building campaigns through community outreach, marketing tie-ins and media sponsorships.
Jamie also brings empathy to her role. As the caretaker for an elderly family member, she knows first-hand the value of finding the right resource in a time of need and the significant relief that assistance can provide.
Connect with Jamie jdepasquale@nj211.org
Management Team
Learn more about Rae
Rae Duncan is the Utility Assistance Program Manager at NJ 211, bringing over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families in need. Rae began her journey in July 2013 as a Call Specialist on the Utility Assistance Hotline and became a full-time employee in October 2014.
Over the years, she advanced through multiple leadership roles, including Lead Specialist and Supervisor, where they provided guidance to staff, conducted quality assurance reviews, managed escalations, and led team training initiatives. In these roles, Rae built a strong foundation in team development, operational oversight, and service quality improvement. In March 2023, Rae was promoted to Program Manager for the 211 lines of business, and in 2024 transitioned into her current role as Utility Assistance Program Manager. In this capacity, she oversees program operations, supports staff development, and works to ensure high-quality service delivery for residents seeking utility assistance.
Outside of work, Rae enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and watching tennis.
Connect with Rae rduncan@nj211.org
Learn more about Dennis
Dennis has been a dedicated member of NJ 211 for over a decade, beginning his career as a Community Resource Specialist in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Rutgers University and is Inform USA certified as both a Certified Resource Specialist (CRS) and Certified Resource Specialist–Database Curator (CRS-DC).
In 2017, he transitioned to the role of Database Resource Specialist, where he developed technical expertise in database management, resource curation, data quality, and Inform USA standards. In 2023, he was promoted to Database Manager, overseeing the accuracy, maintenance, and verification of NJ 211’s statewide resource database. He and his team collaborate with community organizations to ensure reliable, up-to-date information is available to the people of New Jersey who need it most.
In his free time, Dennis is a traveler who has visited more than 15 countries, which has broadened his perspective and deepened his appreciation for diverse cultures and communities.
Connect with Dennis dlopez@nj211.org
Learn more about Fatima
Fatima joined NJ 211 in December 2024 as the Program Manager for the 211 line of business. She oversees program operations, service delivery, quality assurance, customer satisfaction, and training development while leading a dedicated team committed to connecting the people of New Jersey with essential resources and support.
Fatima earned a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavior from Columbia University and a MPH from the University of Bridgeport. Her professional background includes leadership roles in healthcare, community health, nonprofit organizations, and program operations, with a focus in process improvement gained through her experience as a Lean Navigator, and a commitment to serving vulnerable populations.
Fatima is passionate about expanding access to care. She is a strong advocate for mental health and believes that compassionate support and human connection can have a meaningful impact on individual and community well-being. Outside of work, Fatima enjoys singing, traveling, and reading. She is also a fan of TV, especially trivia shows.
Connect with Fatima frony@nj2111.org
Learn more about Marco
Marco oversees the State Homeless Hotline and the Passaic County Coordinated Entry hotline. He is the subject matter expert for services related to the unhoused population and is the liaison to state and county agencies.
Marco joined NJ 211 in March 2014 as a Community Resource Specialist on the Utility Assistance line. Within three months, he was cross-trained on all homeless hotline services and spent the following year supporting the Your Way Home initiative. He later advanced to a Lead role, becoming one of the first employees to hold that position within NJ 211. In 2019, Marco was promoted to Supervisor. He was named Homeless Hotline Assistant Manager in late 2021 and, since February 2022, has served as the Homeless Hotline Program Manager, providing leadership and oversight for NJ 211’s homeless services programs.
Marco graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science from The College of New Jersey in 2014. He enjoys traveling, listening to all types of music and has been a DJ for over 25 years. Marco also enjoys watching and attending NHL hockey and MLS soccer games.
Connect with Marco mzelaya@nj211.org