Opportunity Project Team

Carol Albanese, LCSW, MSW
Executive Director

Tara Kapleau, LPC, MS,CRC
Program Director

Melissa A. Cardinale, MS
Nutrition Counselor

Elizabeth Daugherty
Office Manager

Michael Moran, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Counselor

Jacqueline Rizzi
Cognitive & Community Integration Counselor

Tom Shea, PsyD
Vocational Counselor

Melissa Wish, LSW
Social Work Counselor

Carol Albanese, LCSW, MSW
Executive Director – Opportunity Project, Inc.
Carol Albanese 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 fifteenth 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.