Executive Director
Diego Osses is the Executive Director of Green Village Initiative (GVI), leading programs that use urban farming and gardening to advance food justice and community resilience in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
An agricultural engineer with over 25 years of international experience, Diego has worked in farm management and business development across Chile, China, and Thailand. He holds an MBA and a Master’s in Finance from the University of Bridgeport.
At GVI, he oversees the Reservoir Community Farm, the Youth Leadership Program, and new initiatives like seed saving and pollinator pathways, empowering youth and residents to build a more equitable, sustainable 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 Garden Liaison
Kathleen Benson is the new Reservoir Community Farm Liaison, serving as the link between the GVI organization and our community gardeners at Reservoir Farm.
A chef by trade, Kathleen has over 25 years experience in the West Coast food industry in various roles. From managing hotel restaurant staff in Las Vegas, to cooking and baking at a Northern California Bed and Breakfast; she was part of the early farm-to-table movement to bring cafe style food to Sonoma wineries, using fresh vegetables from the garden on-site. Kathleen earned her Culinary Degree in San Francisco and a Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management from University of Las Vegas, Nevada.
A new Connecticut resident, Kathleen has immersed herself into the local food and small farms community through her current work, cooking and teaching children at Wakeman Town Farms in Westport and Lachat Farm in Weston. At GVI she looks forward to working with the community gardeners and the GVI team to create a truly welcoming space at Reservoir Farm.