Meet Our Staff

Tori Cohen is Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center’s Executive Director. A former hospital social worker, after her grandmother’s dementia diagnosis, Tori felt pulled into working in this field. Tori joined the Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center team in 2003 as a Social Worker, then in 2015, was appointed Executive Director. She has used her personal experiences to help shape and grow Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center into the program it is today.

When not at Long Island Alzheimer's and Dementia Center, you can find Tori at home with her husband and three kids, at spin class, or watching Wimbledon matches!

Ellen Contarino joined Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center in November 2021 and is responsible for all the Center’s accounting, financial reporting, human resources and operational functions. She began her career in public accounting at KPMG. After 25+ years in corporate accounting, Ellen’s life experience, both professionally and personally, drew her to the opportunity at LIAD Center. She could think of no better way to spend her day than to contribute her training and experience to an organization doing such meaningful work and having such a positive impact on society.

When not at the LIAD Center, Ellen enjoys spending time with her family and boating off the South Shore!

Gregg Suchow joined the LIAD Center in 2020. Her contagious smile and go-getting personality shines through her role as Administrative Assistant. After a long-standing career in the entertainment industry, Gregg joined the LIAD Center to exercise her passion for the memory care community, driven by her own experience as a caregiver. Her greatest joy thus far has been building relationships with the LIAD Center’s families.

Outside of the office, Gregg enjoys spending time with family, friends and her chihuahua, Judith! She also enjoys gardening, live theater, music and being a social butterfly!

Melissa Katz, Senior Director of Programs and Services, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and started at the Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center in November 2014. Throughout her time at the LIAD Center, Melissa has supervised the Early-Stage Day Program, facilitated caregiver support groups and has implemented many new programs for family caregivers. Melissa’s long-time passion for working with older adults, conducting research and improving health equity in New York has led to her role as Senior Director. Melissa supervises the social work team and all client-facing services, the In-Home Respite Program, and manages special grant projects and all community education. Melissa was inducted into the “40 Under 40” class with Long Island Business News in 2019, and with Blank Slate Media in 2022. Melissa is a proud alum of Muhlenberg College and Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work.

When not at the LIAD Center, Melissa can be found doing endless work on her new home with her husband and French Bulldog, Harvey.

Gia Mannone, LMSW is our Director of Program Services. She also oversees interns and volunteers. Gia first joined the team as an intern in 2019 while studying for her MSW at Stony Brook University. She then graduated in 2020 and shortly after, joined our team as a licensed social worker. She enjoys being hands-on with program and participants so you will see her walking around the center and even joining in on the daily activities! Gia found her passion for social work and the Alzheimer’s and dementia population through personal experience with her mom and other relatives.

In Gia’s spare time she likes to explore Long Island for fun coffee shops, spend time with her friends and family and pets, as well as volunteer for other nonprofit organizations close to her heart. Fun fact about Gia, she went skydiving in May 2021!

Mandy joined the Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center team as a member of the staff in October 2018. She previously spent time at the LIAD Center as a volunteer. Mandy’s prior social work experience was in inpatient psychiatry. Her passion for working with those affected with dementia came from her personal experience with her grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Mandy is now the Director of Onboarding and Client Coordination. She meets with families to walk them through the intake process and to ensure a smooth transition into the day program. When not at the LIAD Center you can find Mandy spending time with her husband and two boys. The most likely spot to find her is on the sideline of her boys’ baseball games!

With interest in working with the Alzheimer’s population due to understanding the impact the disease can have on an individual and caregivers, Jillian joined the LIAD Center in August 2020. She has experience in providing psychotherapy with individuals, couples and families. Today, with a Master’s degree from Stony Brook University and a clinical license in social worker, Jillian is the Director of Counseling Services and Health Operations. Jillian’s passion for building relationships and learning how experiences can influence an individual shapes the genuine, hardworking professional she is in her work. Out of the office, Jillian enjoys baking, reading, running…and adding to her mug collection!

Emma Fogarty, LMSW joined the LIAD team in December. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Adelphi University, and her masters in Social Work from Jacksonville State University. Emma was one of LIAD Center’s social work interns from 2021-2022. She is responsible for facilitating support groups; hosting an annual bereavement group; conducting caregiver education; and implementing special caregiver events and projects.

Julia Camilleri originally joined LIAD as a Social Work Intern in the Summer of 2023, and became a full-time member of LIAD’s program team following her internship. She became LIAD’s Day Program Coordinator in June 2024, helping to coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Day Program, in addition to overseeing LIAD's Transportation Services and Volunteer Program. Julia practiced as an EMT for 6 years and also has an associate degree in Emergency Management. Julia recently earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Liberty University and is continuing her education toward a master’s in social work. When not at the office, Julia enjoys taking walks on the boardwalk and spending time with her dog, Scarlett.