Executive Director
Diego Osses is the Executive Director of Green Village Initiative (GVI), guiding efforts to grow food, knowledge, leadership, and community through urban farming and gardening in Bridgeport, Connecticut. An agricultural engineer with over 25 years of international experience, Diego brings a unique blend of technical expertise, financial management, and cross-cultural perspective to his role.
His career has spanned Chile, China, and Thailand, where he worked in farm management and international business development. In the U.S., he deepened his leadership skills with an MBA and a Master’s in Finance from the University of Bridgeport School of Business, while additional graduate work in international studies expanded his global perspective on sustainability and equity.
At GVI, Diego oversees core programs including Reservoir Community Farm and the Youth Leadership Program, as well as emerging initiatives such as pollinator pathways, seed saving, and the design of a regional food hub. He is committed to building equitable food systems that provide healthy, culturally relevant food while empowering youth and residents to become leaders in their community.
Diego views urban farming as more than food production, it is a pathway to resilience, equity, and empowerment that strengthens Bridgeport’s future."
Youth Leadership Program Coordinator
Alexandria is a Connecticut native. She studied at Western Connecticut State University, and became interested in urban agriculture while taking classes at the University of California. Alexandria has a professional background in the nonprofit sector; having worked in emergency management, volunteer coordination, and education. Currently, Alexandria works as GVI's Youth Leadership Coordinator. She hopes to inspire youth to take ownership of their futures, explore local food systems, and become leaders in their community. Alexandria has deep love for her roots, her home state, music, and the land.
Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator
Andres Torres Alvarez serves as GVI’s Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, building bridges between Reservoir Community Farm, schools, and community partners across Bridgeport. Originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, grounding their community work in science, health, and equity.
At GVI, Andres designs and hosts volunteer experiences. Day to day, you’ll find Andres greeting neighbors at the farm gate, coordinating partnerships, sharing simple cooking demos, and lifting up community voices so programs reflect local culture and needs.
Before joining GVI, Andres supported community health and urban-environment projects in Bridgeport and contributed to research exploring links between food access and behavioral health. Whether tending beds at the farm or planning the next workshop, Andres is inspired by what happens when people come together around food: we learn, we lead, and we take care of one another. They’re proud to help GVI grow food, knowledge, leadership, and community, right here in Bridgeport.