Colleen Merlo, LMSW

Colleen Merlo, a licensed social worker, has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Mental Health and Wellness since November 30, 2020.

She has worked for more than twenty years in Long Island’s not-for-profit sector, focusing on issues of domestic violence, mental health, gender equity, and poverty.

Colleen had previously spent more than six years as executive director of L.I. Against Domestic Violence.  Her visionary leadership increased capacity and broadened the agency’s ability to respond to the changing needs of Long Island through innovative programs, such as the first pet-friendly shelter for domestic violence victims in the region.

Before that, she was executive director of the Mental Health Association in Suffolk County where she provided direction to drive the mission and vision.  Colleen’s strength in building effective collaborations, her advocacy, and tirelessly efforts to bring public attention to the issues facing Long Island’s most vulnerable, greatly enhanced the effectiveness of local programming.

A past co-chair of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Long Island, she serves on the board of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, the Suffolk County Family Violence Task Force, and the Suffolk County Teen Pregnancy Advisory Board. Colleen was awarded the Top 50 Women in Business in 2019 from Long Island Business News.

Married with two children, Colleen lives in Rocky Point.