About Us

Rene P. Laje, Director

Rene P. Laje has a Ph.D. in Social Work from Fordham University and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington, DC. Before developing the Center for Caregivers, Dr. Laje worked as both the Director of Social Work and as a Research Associate at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington (Charles E. Smith Life Communities), focusing on older adults and their caregivers. She has written and co-authored several presentations and articles on the needs of seniors and their caregivers. In addition, Dr. Laje worked at the New York State Psychiatric Institute / Columbia University in the Smoking Cessation Clinic and wrote and co-authored articles on smoking cessation and relapse prevention. Dr. Laje also received Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) training at the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington. Dr. Laje is married, has 3 children, and lives in Potomac, MD.

Lisa Lederman, Associate

Lisa Lederman has a Masters in Social Work from The Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York City and is a LCSW-C in the State of Maryland. In addition to working at the Center for Caregivers, Ms. Lederman works part-time as a Geriatric Care Manager for Care Management Associates (CMA). She has worked in the rehabilitation and long-term care units at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington (Charles E. Smith Life Communities). Ms. Lederman also has a background and understanding in the area of fertility. Ms. Lederman is married with 2 children and lives in Silver Spring, MD.