CAVU Staff

Deirdre Connor

Director of Operations

Deirdre has been with CAVU since 2005, having served first as a strategic planning advisor and then as Program Director before assuming responsibility for CAVU's operations in 2008. Prior to CAVU Deirdre worked with a variety of non-profits on constituent development, donor recruitment, and organizational development.

She serves on the Board of Trustees of Growing Places Garden Project and is a co-founder and Steering Committee member of the Regional School Health Coalition, as well as a volunteer interviewer for the Clark University Alumni and Parent Admissions Program. Deirdre holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management, both from Clark University.

Penny Marston

Healthy Weight Initiative Program Manager

Penny joined CAVU in 2008 to support the expansion of the Healthy Weight Initiative to community health centers across Massachusetts.

Penny has over 10 years of experience in the management of youth development programs and social services, with a focus on underserved communities and the use of farming as a tool for youth development and community empowerment. Penny has also worked with owners of historic family farms to ensure their continued legacy. She began her career as an Americorps volunteer, providing support to programs serving homeless, incarcerated, and vulnerable youth. Penny holds a B.A. in Women's Studies from Mount Holyoke College.