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About Us

About The Memory Connection

About Us

The Memory Connection is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Founded by compassionate advocates with personal experiences in dementia care, The Memory Connection was established to bridge the gap between available resources and the actual needs of families facing the unique challenges of dementia care.

Our Vision for a Dementia-Friendly World

At The Memory Connection, our vision is to create a dementia-friendly world where everyone—regardless of socioeconomic background—has access to the support and resources they need. We are dedicated to equipping families with dementia-friendly products, offering respite care opportunities, and providing essential educational tools and resources to empower patients, caregivers and the community. By collaborating with caregivers, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and community partners, we aim to foster understanding, uphold dignity, and enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their loved ones.

A Personal Journey Inspiring Change

Our journey started from a personal place—our founders, Mary Anne and Debbie, faced the challenges of caring for their mothers with dementia. The experiences shaped our mission to make sure no one faces the struggle of caregiving alone.

Our goal is to empower families and caregivers with resources that inspire moments of joy, offer steadfast support, and foster greater understanding while navigating the challenges of dementia.

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Meet Our Team

Mary Anne Roberto

Co Founder

Bio

Debbie Axel

Co Founder

Bio

Donna Gentry

Director

Bio

Susan Tellem

Director

Bio

Jamie Allee

Director

Why It Matters

55 million

Over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, a number expected to double by 2050.

$271 billion

Family caregivers provide over $271 billion in unpaid care annually, often sacrificing their own well-being.

1 in 3

Despite advances in treatment, 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

The Power of Giving

Collaboration and support from corporate sponsors, partners and donors, play a vital role in sustaining our programs. Every contribution helps us deliver essential resources and support to caregivers and families facing dementia challenges.

Respite care opportunities for caregivers to reduce burnout
Dementia-friendly products that can help improve quality of life for individuals with cognitive decline.
Community outreach initiatives to provide resources to families in need.
Accessibility by WAH

Mary Anne Roberto
Co Founder

Mary Anne Roberto is a passionate advocate for dementia awareness and caregiver support. She is the co-founder of The Memory Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources, scholarships, and respite opportunities for families caring for loved ones with cognitive decline—especially those in underserved communities and the Sandwich Generation.

Mary Anne is also the Owner and CEO of Elder-Well® Adult Day Program in Santa Monica, California, a social-supportive day center offering meaningful engagement and care for older adults living with memory loss. Inspired by her own mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s, Mary Anne has built her career around creating compassionate, accessible solutions for caregivers and their families.

She is a Certified Dementia Specialist (C.D.S.), RCFE, CNA, and a Certified Positive Approach to Care Consultant. Her work is grounded in hands-on experience, clinical insight, and a deep commitment to dignity and connection.

Mary Anne is also the co-founder of Always Home Connected, an e-commerce platform offering dementia-friendly products for individuals and caregivers. In addition, she serves as Chair of the Literary Feast for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and is actively involved in community events and advocacy throughout the city.

Debbie Axel
Co Founder

Debbie Axel is the co-founder of The Memory Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness around dementia, supporting caregivers, and providing scholarships for adult day and respite care—especially for underserved communities and the Sandwich Generation. Inspired by her mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s, Debbie has made it her mission to ensure that families navigating cognitive decline are not alone, and that resources are accessible, dignified, and empowering. 

Her advocacy began with grassroots fundraising events and has since evolved into a broader commitment to caregiver support, engagement, and community-building through The Memory Connection’s growing initiatives. 

Debbie also co-founded Always Home Connected, an online store offering dementia-friendly products for individuals and caregivers, and brings her expertise as an entertainment attorney to every facet of her work.

Donna Gentry
Director

Donna Gentry has spent several decades as a marketing and special events consultant, serving government, business, and nonprofit organizations across Southern California. Her deep commitment to community is reflected in her volunteer service on the boards of the Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay, Police Activities League (PAL), Pico Improvement Organization, We Are Santa Monica Fund, and the General Advisory Board of Santa Monica College.

Donna’s personal connection to dementia care is rooted in her experience caring for her husband, Ross, who passed away in 2021 with Alzheimer’s. As his care needs increased during the pandemic, she was confronted with the reality that supportive services and respite options were largely unavailable—not only for Ross, but for herself as a care partner.

Today, Donna continues to advocate for expanded access to resources, meaningful engagement, and compassionate support for families navigating dementia. Her work is driven by the belief that no one should face caregiving alone.

Susan Tellem
Director

Susan founded the health care, nonprofit, crisis, and food issues practices at Tellem Grody PR, a full-service agency based in Los Angeles. With more than 30 years in the PR business, she was known nationally for her expertise in media relations and crisis management. She has provided counsel for many high-profile clients and was an accredited 30-year member of Public Relations Society of America, Tellem was honored with the LA Chapter’s Joseph Roos Community Service Award and was recognized by the Century City Chamber of Commerce as a “Woman of Achievement.” She served as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University after an 11-year stint as a member of UCLA’s extension faculty. Tellem was a voting member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She was a public safety advocate working as a Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Officer Specialist (retired); serving on the management team with the Malibu Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); and serving four years as a City of Malibu Public Safety Commissioner. In 1990, she and her husband, Marshall Thompson, founded American Tortoise Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting all species of tortoises and turtles. In 2000, they launched World Turtle Day, an annual observance “shellebrated” internationally that encourages people to celebrate and protect turtles, tortoises, and their disappearing habitats worldwide.