Jennifer Merlich is a health policy and public sector–experienced leader with a strong commitment to community outreach and development. After earning degrees in Communications and Biology from New Mexico State University, she moved to California’s Central Coast, where she held leadership roles across the nonprofit and government sectors. Jennifer is deeply passionate about advancing equity, strengthening local partnerships, and supporting organizations that create sustainable, positive impact for the communities they serve. She currently serves as Director of Health Policy at Amgen. An avid drummer, gardener, and pickleball player, Jennifer’s lifelong love of animals inspired her to join the Board in 2026. She lives in a harmonious, multi‑species household with her rescue dogs Phoebe and Phineas, cats Luca and Piper, and house bunny Ripley Roo.