ABOUT YOUR ADVISORS IN Central Jersey
Connie Pizarro
Certified Senior Advisor®
Connie began her career in 1982 in the technology division of a retail department store. After 3 ½ years, she resigned to explore opportunities in the financial industry. She spent 29 years in the financial industry and had the opportunity to develop her technical and managerial skills.
One of the goals Connie has for the next chapter in her life is to make a difference in the lives of people. In 2009 her father-in-law passed away, leaving her mother-in-law alone. Two years later, in 2011, her mother-in-law came to live with them, after having survived several strokes. This left her very frail. Connie and her husband cared for her in their home for as long as they could, but eventually, they had to find alternate living arrangements. The task of finding a place was an enormous challenge. They did not know where or how to begin. Connie has learned first-hand the challenges facing families during these difficult transitions. She's also reminded of the responsibilities we have as a society to honor and provide for our seniors.
Oasis is a perfect fit for Connie. It allows her to marry her passion with her career. She is able to help meet a tremendous need that is currently lacking in their community, that of maintaining the dignity and quality of life that our seniors deserve.
Donna Plotnick
Senior Living Advisor
Donna graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing. She began her career in Manhattan working at several advertising agencies for many years. Donna then shifted her career and worked on the print media side for some of the most prestigious magazines such as Architectural Digest, Bon Appetit, and Women’s Day.
After getting married, she moved from NYC to NJ. For a short time, she commuted to the City, but when Donna and her husband, Ken, decided to have a family, commuting was out of the question. Now it was time for a career change. A friend of hers saw how caring she was with her grandmother and suggested she consider a position in the senior living industry. A position opened at a Continuing Care Retirement Community where Donna assisted the Marketing Director with senior placement and promoting the community. Donna felt she found her calling there.
Down the road, a career opportunity opened at Job Haines Home for a Marketing Director. This opportunity allowed Donna to use her experience working with seniors, their families and her knowledge of advertising. She was very involved in helping families, their loved ones as well as independent seniors with placement in either assisted living, long-term care or sub-acute care. Donna spent almost 16 years at Job Haines Home interacting with the senior community in the Essex County area.
Although it was a great experience working at Job Haines, she felt it was time for a change and wanted to continue advocating for seniors. Donna accepted a position at a premier dementia care community located in Essex County. Engaging with this very special population was not only emotional but rewarding.
A few years ago, Donna met Connie from Oasis Senior Advisors. She was extremely impressed with Connie’s passion to help families and seniors. Donna told Connie that in some capacity they would work together one day because they both shared the same mission…to be a helpful resource to families and seniors by maintaining their dignity, independence with safety and quality of life. An opportunity to work with Connie at Oasis Senior Advisors opened up and Donna felt this would allow her to continue her mission.
Nancy Jemas
Senior Living Advisor
Nancy graduated with an MBA in marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She began her career “begin born” into Advertising as an agency account executive. After leaving the agency, Nancy has held corporate marketing communications positions. Her roles have included a focus on branding, web strategy, event management, print, and digital media.
Ever since studying and interning in an Art Therapy program at a geriatric facility while in college, Nancy has continued to have a burning passion for making a difference in the lives of the elderly community including volunteering at assisted living facilities and a growing desire to be able to address their unmet needs.
Nancy has experienced first-hand being thrust into the world of elderly caregiving has only deepened her commitment to helping others navigate through the milestones.
After hearing about Connie’s advocacy towards the elderly community and finally getting the opportunity to meet with her, there would be no other opportunity and no better way to serve the elderly community.
Lorrine West
Community Liaison
Lorrine West is a retiree from one of the world’s top 10 corporations. As a developer of human resource programs and financial analysis, that profession offered a chance to interface with individuals from different backgrounds.Lorrine holds a four-year college degree and certification in Business Administration. After retirement she was able to spend more time with her mother and other seniors in their quest of life enhancements. This is the point at which she understood her energy for helping seniors.
Her authoritative aptitudes, tolerance, and love for others powered her desire to serve. After listening to a presentation about Oasis Senior Advisors, she knew that this was a way she could serve. So she joined the team, and the rest is history.
Karen Dozier-Ross
Community Liaison
After experiencing the challenges of caring and advocating for ailing parents, Karen is now turning her focus to community health and senior advising. She previously worked thirty-three years as a Central Office Technician at Verizon providing excellent customer service and maintaining complex telecommunications equipment.
As an Office Assistant for Oasis Senior Advisors, Karen is tasked with data input, community touring and networking support. She supports the President of the company as well as the team members with educating and informing seniors and their family members on options pertaining to assisted living communities.
She attended Hofstra University and is graduate of Empire State College with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health. Karen currently resides in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey with her husband of 30 years and has two children, James and Breanna.
Veronica Werner
Office Assistant
Veronica Werner is a just starting out in the senior care world. After experiencing the highs and lows of providing care for her elderly father who has now passed, she wanted to learn more about the senior care industry. Veronica comes to the Oasis team with 10+ years of administrative experiences. Currently, she serves as the Operations Specialist for her local church. While she’s not working, Veronica enjoys eating sushi.
Crystal Pizarro
Marketing Manager
Crystal Pizarro is the Marketing Manager for Oasis Senior Advisors- Central Jersey. In this role, she manages email marketing, all social media channels, event marketing, and public relations for the Central Jersey territory.
Prior to joining Oasis Senior Advisors, Crystal worked with clients including; Bank of America, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and Please Touch Museum just to name a few. After 4 years in the advertising industry, she decided to join her Mother in her new business venture and assist with all of her marketing needs. In this capacity, she is able to merge all of her prior experiences into one main job function at Oasis Senior Advisors.
Crystal currently resides in Philadelphia, PA where she coaches the Villanova Wildcat Pom Squad during her free time. She received a B.A. in Advertising with a concentration in Account Management from Temple University.