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.
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.
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.
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.
