Triple Your Impact This Holiday Season
Triple Your Impact This Holiday Season
Celebrate the holidays with a year-end gift that can go 3x as far to help provide care and support to the millions affected by Alzheimer's disease, and to advance critical research. But please hurry — this 3x Match Challenge ends soon.
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The Cost of Alzheimer’s: Impact on Workforce & Community
May 8, 2025 | 8 a.m. - May 8, 2025 | 10 a.m.
Reid Castle at Manhattanville College
2900 Purchase Street
Purchase, NY
10577
Speakers
Moderator
Cindy Shmerler is an award-winning sports journalist and tennis broadcaster with more than 45 years of experience covering the game for top outlets including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, ESPN, USA Network, and Tennis Channel. She currently serves as the tennis correspondent for the International New York Times. A dedicated advocate in the fight to end Alzheimer’s, Cindy has been a board member of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association since 2012 and is a leading fundraiser for the Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Her commitment is deeply personal—after losing her mother to the disease in 2010, her son Maxwell Levy founded the Growth and Awareness Group for Alzheimer’s (GAGA) at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, NY. Under their leadership, the club has raised nearly $500,000, making it the top high school fundraising team for Alzheimer’s in the country.Panelists
Adam Kintish is Vice President – Commercial Payment Consultant, Commercial Cards at M&T Bank. Based in Westchester County, Adam brings years of banking expertise to his current role, having previously served as Senior Branch Manager at M&T’s Mamaroneck branch. Over the course of his career, he has held positions in training and development, commercial lending, and both branch and regional management. Adam is passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations and helping them grow and thrive. He has been honored multiple times for his community engagement, including his service as President of the Board for the Association of Development Officers. He currently serves on the board of First Steps to Heal and the Advisory Board for Student Advocacy. Through both his work and volunteerism, Adam is proud to carry forward M&T Bank’s Community First commitment. 
Courtney Kloske, Ph.D., is the Director of Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer's Association, where she leads efforts to advance the organization's scientific mission through strategic education and outreach. In this role, she works closely with chapters across the country, providing research updates and championing the Association’s impact on Alzheimer’s and dementia research. She is especially committed to supporting early career scientists and fostering the next generation of dementia researchers. Previously, Dr. Kloske served as Associate Director of Science Engagement and Outreach at the Association, where she translated complex research into accessible content for the public and key stakeholders through presentations and written communications. Prior to joining the Association, she conducted independent translational research at the University of Kentucky, investigating genetic risk factors and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Kloske earned her Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Kentucky and holds a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Auburn University.
Janette Licastrino is a seasoned aviation sales executive and passionate caregiver, currently serving as Director of Sales at Embassair in Opa-locka, Florida. She stepped into this role in August 2023 after more than 20 years with Million Air, where she held various leadership positions, including Client Relations Sales Manager, Director of Sales & Business Development, and CSR Manager. Based in Carmel, New York, Janette balances a demanding career with her role as caregiver for her mother, Ramonita, who is living with dementia. This personal journey has deepened her commitment to Alzheimer's advocacy. She actively volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter and is a dedicated participant in the Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer's.
André Thompson is a seasoned health and social services executive with a proven track record of leading impactful community-based programs across New York City and Westchester. He currently serves as Chief Advisor at Partners for Health and Social Care Strategies (PHSC), a consulting and advisory firm that helps mission-driven organizations expand their impact in communities facing the greatest need. His work has focused on addressing critical needs—ranging from food insecurity and housing support to public benefits, case management, and other essential services for individuals and families. André previously served as Vice President at Feeding Westchester, the largest hunger-relief organization in the county, and as Director at Health Equity Alliance on Long Island, where he advanced efforts to address health-related social needs.
The Cost of Alzheimer's: 2025 Facts
Ways to Get Involved with the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia. We have local chapter offices across the United States—with Hudson Valley chapter offices in Purchase and Poughkeepsie—which offer community-based programs and services. We are also the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research.
Nearly 7 million American living with Alzheimer’s. including more than 23,000 people in Westchester. Their family, friends, and loved ones are also impacted by the disease. You can join the fight to end Alzheiemer's by partnering with us.
- Start a team for the Walk to End Alzheimers: You can create a local team for your organization. Visit alz.org/walk to learn more.
- Become a volunteer: We offer volunteer opportunities to help your community, including support group facilitator, community educator or event day logistics. Volunteers receive training and support from staff.
- Explore sponsorships: Your organization can make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. We offer sponsorship opportunities for signature events, research conferences. community programs, and more. Let’s work together to achieve your brand's goals and business objectives, while helping move the mission of the Alzheimer's Association forward.
- Request a guest speaker: Our highly trained staff and volunteers can provide an overview of Alzheimer’s and dementia, what the latest research says about how to protect brain health, practical advice on dementia caregiving, and other related topics.
Support & Resources from the Alzheimer's Association
As the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, the Alzheimer's Association provides free resources across Hudson Valley for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
- Education programs: Available online and in person, our free education programs feature the latest information on dementia-related topics, including living with Alzheimer’s disease, caregiver training and more.
- Support groups: We hold local support groups for caregivers and people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, from Poughkeepsie to New Rochelle, both online and in person. Support groups create a safe, confidential and supportive environment to develop mutual support and social relationships.
- Care consultations: These are free neetings with experts in the field of dementia care. Each consultation is unique to your specific needs and can be provided by phone, video or in-person and can include family members in separate locations.
- Early-stage social engagement: These free interactive social programs are designed for people living with early-stage dementia and their family members.