Christina Zuk has been named president of the board of 180 Turning Lives Around, a Monmouth County agency dedicated to helping survivors and families of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Zuk, of Long Branch and a strategic adviser at Princeton Public Affairs Group, has been a member and 2nd vice president of 180’s board of trustees since 2019. She is widely recognized as an influential figure in New Jersey’s nonprofit and political sectors and has received numerous accolades, including recognition by Emerge New Jersey at its “Build the Bench” reception, honoring women who have fostered Democratic women’s political participation, and the “Changemaker Award” from the Reed Autism Foundation.
Zuk said she is eager to have an impact.
“I am excited to take on the role of president to build on 180’s strong foundation and lead our organization forward in serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families,” she said.
Executive Director Liz Graham praised the selection.
“The need for 180’s vital services and programs has never been greater,” she said. “We welcome Ms. Zuk’s dynamic leadership to help us keep serving the people falling through the cracks of our current system.
“Our shared vision, efforts and courage make all things possible.”
Additional board officers include:
- Brian Nelson (1st vice president): Partner at Spiro Harrison & Nelson LLC, and former 180 board president;
- Paul Dement (2nd vice president): Senior director of government and community relations at Monmouth University and former 180 board secretary;
- Tasha Youngblood Brown (treasurer): Managing director at EY;
- Melissa Pellechio (secretary): Managing partner at Manfredi and Pellechio.
Founded in 1976 as the Women’s Resource and Survival Center, 180 Turning Lives Around has a storied history as the first federally funded domestic violence shelter in the U.S. It also established Monmouth County’s first rape hotline, which provided counseling to 459 survivors in its first year.
As one of only five domestic violence organizations in New Jersey operating a family justice center, 180 Turning Lives Around has been at the forefront of many initiatives, including the establishment of New Jersey’s largest safe house, which uniquely accommodates survivors of all genders and their pets. The 180 organization also operates the 2nd Floor Youth Help Line, New Jersey’s youth mental health crisis line, founded by Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy.
