Merilee Rutolo serves as President and CEO of Center For Family Services, where she leads an organization of more than 1,600 employees dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities across New Jersey. She provides leadership for the organization's strategic direction, growth, and innovation, guiding the development of programs and partnerships that advance innovative solutions to strengthen communities.

Over the past decade, Merilee has led Center For Family Services through a period of transformational growth, guiding a series of strategic mergers and expansions that have strengthened the organization's statewide presence and broadened access to essential services. Her leadership has helped preserve and enhance community-based programs, increase organizational capacity, and expand services in education, housing, behavioral health, crisis response, and family support—ensuring more individuals and families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Merilee has dedicated her career to advancing innovative solutions that strengthen communities and improve lives. Her expertise in program development, organizational growth, and partnership building has led to the successful expansion of services and the creation of new programs that respond to emerging community needs. By cultivating strong relationships at the federal, state, county, and local levels, she has secured critical funding, advanced systems-level change, and built collaborative partnerships that have expanded resources and opportunities for individuals and families across New Jersey.

An active community leader, Merilee serves on the boards of Raise the Bar, the Walter Rand Institute, the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, and the Camden Health & Athletic Association (CHAA). She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, participates in the National Alliance for Children and Families and a tri-county prevention coalition focused on ending sexual violence, and contributes to numerous state and county collaborative initiatives.

Merilee earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Government, and Politics from the University of Maryland and a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University–Camden. She was recognized as one of South Jersey Magazine's Super Women of the Year in 2018 for her dedication to improving lives and communities throughout New Jersey and was named a South Jersey Biz Woman to Watch in 2025.