Previously as the Head of Alliances and Cultural Engagement at Cinereach, Merrill expanded Cinereach’s impact by developing methods of support for regional and community-focused film organizations and collectives. In 2010 Merrill co-founded Film Presence where they led theatrical outreach campaigns to connect films with crucial audiences outside the arthouse bubble. Merrill was named as one of DOCNYC’s inaugural New Leaders cohort and is a 2022 Rockwood Documentary Leaders Fellow.