Opportunity Project Team

Executive Director – Carol Albanese, LCSW, MSW
Program Coordinator – Tara Kapleau, CRC, MS
Development Director- Amy Sigona
Office Administrator – Elizabeth Daugherty
Resource Unit Counselor – Jonathan Smith
Communications Unit Counselor – Omar Cruz, AAS
Vocational Unit Counselor – Arlene Lieberman, CRC, M.Ed
Supported Employment/Job Coach – Neela Waghmere, MS
Case Management Unit Counselor – Rhonda Brown, BS

Carol Albamese, LCSW, MSW
Executive Director – Opportunity Project, Inc.

Carol Albamese has served as Executive Director of Opportunity Project since September, 1999.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Teaching/Special Education from Kean University, a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers, and is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Worker. With over 20 years experience as an administrator of nonprofit organizations in a variety of community settings, Carol has successfully advocated for accessibility issues, expanded and developed programs, increased funding resources, and has succeeded in financing, renovating and licensing halfway houses.

Her extensive experience also expands to working with government entities, creating community affiliations, and program development and funding.

Prior to joining Opportunity Project, Carol directed programs for drug and alcohol addicts, managed shelters and halfway houses, was part of a team of social workers on a psychiatric unit, and was a clinical social worker in a managed care facility.

Through her volunteer work Carol has held several positions, including serving as the President of the Task Force on Women and Alcohol, and Secretary and President of the Association of Halfway House Directors. She was a founding member and then President of the NJ Coalition on People with Disabilities, Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Seven years ago, Carol was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Traumatic Brain Injury and is currently active on several subcommittees related to funding and services for persons with brain injury in New Jersey.

Now surpassing her tenth year with Opportunity Project, Carol has built on and expanded the Clubhouse Program by developing a pilot project with the State of New Jersey, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, making Opportunity Project the first Clubhouse site to provide vocational assessment and work adjustment training for adults with brain injury. She most recently lead Opportunity Project in becoming a CARF accredited nonprofit organization.