Melanie Willoughby

Before joining the New Jersey Business Action Center, where she also serves as acting executive director of the state Office for Planning Advocacy, Melanie Willoughby was the chief government affairs officer of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. Prior to that she was the president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association. She also served in Governor Brendan Byrne’s administration as director of state and federal government affairs for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Ms. Willoughby is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, and she serves on the boards of the Rutgers University John Heldrich Center for Workforce Development; Isles, Inc.; and the Rowan University South Jersey Technology Park. She is a Rutgers University Eagleton Institute visiting fellow.