Our Staff
Carol Hartmann, MBA, ACC, CDP Director of Programs, Education, and Training
Carol Hartmann has over 25 years of experience in caring for seniors, including more than a decade managing the CenterLight Health Systems PACE Program Day Centers, as a Regional Day Health Center Manager. She previously spent four years as the Dementia Program Director at the Queen of the Rosary convent in Amityville, implementing the first Dementia Program for the Sisters of St. Dominic. Prior to that, she was a Program Service Coordinator at Arden Courts, HCR Manor Care, Assisted Living in Allentown, PA, where she led the programming for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Hartmann has an MBA with Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management. Carol has a National Catholic Certification in Health Care Ethics. Carol is a Licensed Instructor and an Activity Consultant Certified through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP). She served on the Alzheimer’s Association of Long Island Public Policy Committee and ADRC's Public Policy Committee. In 2019, she was honored with the ‘Impossible Dreamers Award’ from the Friends of CenterLight Foundation in recognition of her career dedicated to caring for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. In 2023, Carol became a Master Instructor in Montessori principles in Dementia Care from the National Intergenerational Montessori Center.
Maria Prendergast, BSBM Director of Operations & Volunteer Engagement
Maria Prendergast first joined the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center in 2016 as an Executive Assistant. Maria left the organization in October 2021 and has now returned to serve as the Director of Operations and Volunteer Engagement. Maria is passionate about serving families and the mission of ADRC. She provides operational, program, and fundraising support to all team members.
Prior to joining the ADRC, Maria gained extensive experience in the non-profit sector. Most recently, she worked with a church within the Diocese of Rockville Centre, on Long Island. Her role focused on stewardship and required consultation with pastoral management, staff, parishioners and volunteers. She also oversaw the opening of a child day care center on the Church campus. Welcoming new families to the program was a role she particularly enjoyed. ADRC’s board, staff and the people we serve all benefit from her warm and welcoming approach.
A graduate of Molloy College, Maria earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management, with a Minor in Economics. Earlier in her career, Maria worked as a staff accountant in the healthcare sector.
Maria and her husband have two daughters, and are life-long Long Islanders.
Sharon Reichman, LMSW Director of Client Services
“I’m proud to be a member of the ADRC team, working closely with Long Islanders impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.”
Sharon Reichman joined the ADRC team during the pandemic, in the Spring of 2021, and is our Director of Client Services. She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and has been working with New Yorkers ever since. Sharon works with our families, facilitates caregiver support groups and offers educational programs throughout the community. A native Long Islander, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family and immersing herself in spy novels in her spare time. Her dog, Bento, can sometimes be seen at our ADRC office, greeting families and getting his ears scratched.
Lauren Vlachos, MSNP, CFRE Executive Director/CEO
“ADRC is a community of caregivers who educate and empower one another as they navigate the challenges of caring for an individual with cognitive decline.”
Lauren Vlachos has served as the Executive Director of Long Island’s Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center (ADRC) since joining the organization in March 2022. Lauren restored ADRC to solid ground, establishing a new resource center in East Islip and reinvigorating programs and services. Recently, Lauren has successful lead the organization into a full merger with CaringKind, a similar Alzheimer’s and dementia organization based in Manhattan. The ADRC received approval from the AG on June 30 and the organization is rebranding as CaringKind to be complete by October 1. Lauren will continue as the Executive Director of CaringKind, Long Island office.
Previously, Lauren served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Suffolk County Council, Boy Scouts of America. During her time with the Boy Scouts, Lauren supported a team of executives and managed a $2.7 million yearly budget and 14,000 youth members and 4000 adult volunteers.
Prior to joining the Boy Scouts of America, Lauren served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, West Africa for 2.5 years where she worked on community health campaigns and served with Jimmy Carters Global 2000 Foundation to eradicate Guinea Worm in the country.
Lauren earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College, a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from the New School University, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.
Lauren is an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts. She is a member of the Returned Peace Corps Association and Secretary of the Board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Long Island. She is married with 3 children, 2 dogs, and a cat. She is a master gardener, an avid outdoors-woman, and an environmentalist.
Amber White, CTRS, CDP Program Manager
“ADRC brings so much joy to the community and I’m proud to be a part of the team.”
Amber White is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist since 2019. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and a Minor in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s College. She also has a Certificate in Gerontology. Amber has a passion not only to work with people but has trained dogs, horses and a pig. With Amber’s background in assisted living communities and program management she is eager to start her new chapter at ADRC.