Staff & Board Members
The Ashley Lauren Foundation was founded by a woman with a passionate, focused vision of helping children in NJ who suffer from cancer - stemming from her own experiences with her daughter's diagnosis of cancer. Thus, The Ashley Lauren Foundation was born and became incorporated with the State of New Jersey on July 6, 2005.
Monica Vermeulen
Founder/CEO
A cancer survivor herself, Monica experienced first-hand the pain involved with having a child that has cancer. Her daughter, Ashley Lauren, was diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor at the age of three. Having lived through the unexpected hardships of pediatric cancer, Monica realized how important the need for support is during this difficult time. Her driving passion is to reach other families that are coping with the same difficulties and provide them with hope and help.
Monica is married and has two children, Eric and Ashley Lauren. Monica has a B.A. in Nonprofit Management (Focus-Pediatric Cancer) from Stockton University - graduating Summa Cum Laude/Program Distinction. She served as a former Alumni Representative on the Ocean County College Board of Trustees. Monica is also the Director/Choreographer of The Ashley Lauren Foundation Theatre Ensemble.
Maria D'Amato
Development & Special Events Director
Before joining The Ashley Lauren Foundation as a full-time employee, Maria served as a volunteer for many years. For the past 30 years, Maria has held numerous Sales and Development positions for a variety of organizations. In her previous role as Assistant Director of Development for Howard County Community College in Columbia, Maryland, Maria oversaw the execution of large-scale fundraising events that generated scholarship funds for the college. Prior to Maria's business positions, she was a professional singer with her own band and dancer and entertainment coordinator for Spirit Cruises in Baltimore. She also performed with a touring company throughout Europe. She is married to her husband, Tom, and has one beautiful daughter.
Laura Scalese
Resource Director
Laura came to the Foundation first as an ALF family when her daughter, Charlotte was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. Ever since, Laura has been involved with the Foundation in a variety of different capacities. Laura was a former educator for 10 years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Studies from Montclair State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Monmouth University and was ranked #1 in her graduating class. She has been married to her husband, David for 16 years. They have 2 boys, Sebastian and Theo, and their daughter, Charlotte, now in Heaven.
Tom Corley
Board Member, President and Treasurer
Tom Corley is a CPA and a CFP, with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from St. John's University and a Master's Degree in Taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a bestselling/award-winning author and has written the books: Rich Habits, Rich Kids - How to Raise Our Children to Happy and Successful in Life, Change Your Habits Change Your Life, Rich Habits Poor Habits and Effort-Less Wealth - Smart Money Habits at Every Stage of Your Life.
Tom is a frequent contributor to Business Insider and CNBC and has appeared on or in CBS Evening News, The Dave Ramsey Radio Show, CNN, MSN Money, USA Today, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, Money Magazine, and many other media outlets and podcasts in the U.S. as well as 27 other countries. Tom resides in Long Branch, NJ, with his wife Denise.
Carolyn Walker
Board Member, Secretary
Carolyn Walker is the current secretary for the Board of Trustees and has been involved with The Ashley Lauren Foundation since its inception in 2005. Carolyn is a life-long resident of New Jersey, having been raised in Cranford and now calls Brick home. Carolyn graduated from Ocean County College, where she met Monica Vermeulen through their involvement with Phi Theta Kappa. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgian Court University while also a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society and the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. She is also a Certified Trust Financial Advisor and a graduate of Cannon Trust School. Carolyn has been employed by Wells Fargo Bank for over 24 years and, in 2018, was named the Volunteer of the Year for the New Jersey Chapter of the Wells Fargo Volunteer at Work Program. Carolyn is blessed to have two daughters and four grandchildren, all of whom have volunteered with The Ashley Lauren Foundation.
Tom Arnone
Board Member
Thomas A. Arnone is currently serving his fifth, three-year term on the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners. In 2023, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as Director of the Board. He also served as Director in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 and deputy director in 2012 and 2013. Director Arnone oversees the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering and serves as the liaison to Public Information, Tourism, Economic Development, the Office of Shared Services, the Department of Transportation, Brookdale Community College, the Prosecutors Office, the Environmental Council, the Improvement Authority, and the Shade Tree Commission.
Since being elected as a Commissioner, Director Arnone has been an advocate for shared services between municipalities and counties. He established the Healthy Monmouth Initiative, bringing together students from different socioeconomic backgrounds to learn about good nutritional habits. In addition, Director Arnone started the Grow Monmouth program to help revitalize the County’s business climate, developed a Façade Improvement program, and set up a Tourism Advisory Group to bring mayors and tourism leaders together. Director Arnone also created the annual Made in Monmouth event to exclusively showcase locally-made consumer products.
Prior to his election as a Commissioner, Director Arnone served as an elected official in
Neptune City. As mayor, from 2004 through 2010, he was instrumental in the acquisition of more than $1.5 million in grants and the successful revitalization of underutilized areas in the community.
As a council member from 1997 through 2003, Director Arnone held positions as Police Commissioner, Public Works Commissioner, and the Finance committee chairman.
During his tenure in Neptune City, Director Arnone served as the director of the Office of Emergency Management and as a member of the Land Use, Planning, and Recreation boards as well as the Shade Tree, Environmental and Community Development Block Grant committees, and the Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Active in statewide organizations, Director Arnone currently represents the County on the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. He is a board member of the Salvation Army New Jersey Division and organized the inaugural Pound the Pavement for Purple in 2014 to support pancreatic cancer research. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children. Additionally, Director Arnone served as the 2010 president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and has been an active member of the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
Director Arnone is currently employed by the PRC Group located in Red Bank, where he serves as the Vice President of Business Development and Homeowners Association.
Director Arnone is a graduate of Neptune High School and attended Brookdale Community College. He currently is Vice President of Property Management for PRC Group.
Director Arnone and his wife reside in Neptune City. They have one daughter.
Carolyn Burtnick
Board Member
Carolyn Burtnick currently serves as the Director of Tourism for Monmouth County. She graduated from Saint Joseph's University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing. For 20+ years, her background specializes in media and client relations. A life-long resident of Monmouth County, Carolyn has been very active in her local communities, giving her time to many non-profits and serving on chamber and business boards.
In 2017, she was named to that year's group of "Phenomenal Women Under 40" by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Jersey and in 2012 was named "New Jersey's Finest" by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Carolyn has been volunteering with The Ashley Lauren Foundation since 2008.
Howard Levine
Board Member
Howard Levine is a Healthcare Executive in the Information Technology sector with over 20 years of experience. He is a graduate of Stockton University with a B.S. in Computer Science. Howard resides in Marlboro, NJ with his family.
Advisory Board
Nicholas J. Loiacono, Esq.
Nick is an attorney licensed in the State and Federal courts of New Jersey and New York. For over 14 years, he has represented individuals and organizations in all types of civil litigation matters including personal injury, medical malpractice, employment discrimination and construction accidents. Nick also advises clients regarding general legal issues including wills, debt disputes and contracts.
Anthony "Buddy" Hanlon
Buddy was born on Staten Island NY in 1941 and attended Manhattan College. He is a retired President of a Wall Street firm and Senior Advisor to the World Bank in Washington. He is presently an active Investor.
Gary Schiavone
Gary retired from NYC Transit after 30 years as the Director of Transportation, Safety, and Training for the Access-A-Ride Division. He served on the Board of Directors of Ocean of Love, a local charity assisting children and their families suffering from cancer, for 28 years. He was on the Executive Board of Directors at the Strand Theater in Lakewood for 22 years. Gary and his wife Joanie live in Point Pleasant and enjoy traveling and spending time with their 6 grandchildren.
Margaret Fontana
We are so grateful to our following sponsors of Chefs Who Care for their generosity:
