A former legislator, Mary Pat Angelini is currently the outgoing CEO of Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG), a non-profit behavioral healthcare organization located in central New Jersey. Prior to her position at PBHG, she served as Executive Director of Prevention First, where she oversaw programs to counter the negative effects of substance use, violence, and bullying.
Previously, Ms. Angelini served as a program development specialist with Monmouth County’s Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, where she coordinated Monmouth County’s local coalitions to prevent substance abuse.
While serving in the New Jersey Legislature from 2008 to 2016 as Deputy Conference Leader, Ms. Angelini sponsored numerous legislative initiatives to help Garden State families. As Ranking Member of the Health and Senior Services Committee, she crafted legislation to improve the conditions at state psychiatric hospitals and to address underage drinking and drug use. She was the prime sponsor of the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights,” and the “911” or “Lifeline” legislation, which establishes a “safe haven” from prosecution for minors who summon medical assistance for intoxicated underage persons. In addition, she fought for strict ethics reform and stronger regulations for childcare centers.
Mary Pat has received numerous honors and awards over her professional career, notably for her commitment and support of children and families in New Jersey. She was honored by the Children’s Aid and Family Services and named “Children’s Advocate of the Year” by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She was also named “Legislative Champion for Improving Treatment” by the NJ Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies and Mental Health Association of Monmouth County “Tony Dowling Child Advocacy” Award.
Ms. Angelini is also a recognized leader in New Jersey’s business community, receiving the 2021 “Executive of the Year” award from New Jersey Business and Industry Association and named among the “Best 50 Women in Business” by NJBIZ in 2019. Her civic contributions to her community are extensive. She serves as Vice Chair of the 200 Club of Monmouth County and sits on the Executive Board of the Monmouth Ocean Development Council, the Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees, and formerly served on the Monmouth County Board of Elections. She was appointed by Governor Christie to the board of the Ann Klein Forensic Center, and she is also the Chair of the Human Services Advisory Council of Monmouth County. A proud resident of the Jersey shore, she is a member of the Jersey Shore Partnership’s Executive Board where she advocates for protection of coastal communities.
Mary Pat earned a Bachelor of Social Welfare from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is a Certified Prevention Specialist. She and her husband, Robert, reside in Ocean Township. They have two children and three grandchildren.