MEET THE New Executive Director

Susan Andrien is an experienced and highly respected professional in education, mental health, coaching, leadership, and training.  She has worked in school districts supporting teachers and administrators to overcome obstacles and build community, and with the city of Berkeley, CA in managing Covid 19 mental health issues.  Susan brings empathy and deep listening to all of her work.  Most importantly, she is fun, enthusiastic, and loves working with children and creating a welcoming and nurturing environment.  

Susan lives in Oakland, California, but she has deep roots to the Island.  Her mother has lived on the Island for 20 years and introduced us to Susan when we were looking for a Board facilitator.  Susan has started working and planning for the summer season and we are inspired by her comprehensive approach.  

She is eager to meet with the community and understand your interests and concerns, keep you informed of Center plans, and build on the long history and traditions of the Center. Many of you have met her when you participated in some of the four Community Engagement Meetings she held this winter and spring. We are delighted to have her join us and we think you will be, too. 

Chilmark Town Affairs Council

A Word from Susan

I am thrilled to be stepping into the role of Executive Director at the Chilmark Community Center. Last summer I had the opportunity to witness the CCC magic and I am genuinely excited to be a part of this incredible community. I bring with me a deep-rooted commitment to playful environments and healing opportunities. 

Having dedicated my career to fostering strong and supportive environments, I am eager to contribute to the vibrant spirit and legacy of the CCC. Throughout my professional journey as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have witnessed the transformative power of community engagement and collaboration.

With this understanding as the foundation of my leadership I would like to invite you all to be a part of this next chapter for CCC. In January - April, I held monthly community engagement meetings to both provide updates and seek input from the community. I will be following up on the next phase of community engagement in the coming weeks.

I am committed to building on the already thriving foundation of the CCC, working hand in hand with each of you to create spaces that nurture inclusivity, emphasize fun and empower individuals.

Together, let's embark on a journey of positive growth and shared success. I am honored to serve as your Executive Director and look forward to the exciting adventures ahead.

Here's to a bright and flourishing future for the Chilmark Community Center!

Susan Andrien

Heidi Ganser returns to the Center this year in a new position as the Center’s Adult, Family and Community Program Director. Many of you know her from her many summers as the Director of the Playschool at the Community Center. She has lived on the island for 35 years and has been an island educator for 28 years. After 19 years at the Playschool, Heidi took a few years off to adopt and care for her daughter, Cameron Rose. She returned as Director of the Playschool for several years, and then served as an Advisor to the Center’s Executive Director for several summers.

Heidi is excited to work again for the Chilmark Community Center in a new and different role developing multigenerational programming and community partnerships. She is committed to  preserving the legacy of the Chilmark Community Center while recognizing the need for change, so that the essence of the Community Center remains true to its roots: as an inclusive, diverse, and joyful intergenerational community where families can come together and build lifetime relationships.

A long time Chilmark resident, Dr. Carrie Fyler worked at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for nearly a decade. She is currently teaching Biology and Environmental Sciences at the Lawrenceville School in NJ, but still considers Martha’s Vineyard home. In 2021, Dr. Fyler ran the CCC STEAM program.

Originally from Chicago, Sara Kemp currently works as a Library Media Specialist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a lifelong tennis player, and tennis programming professional, she brings tremendous energy, organizational skill, and experience to the Chilmark courts.

Originally from the East Coast, but currently living in San Francisco, MacKenzie is eager to spend another summer on Martha’s Vineyard. With six years of experience in the corporate sector, MacKenzie brings innovative approaches, frameworks, and organizational strategies to the Center for a cohesive and inclusive working environment.

Chris Andrien worked at the CCC last summer for several weeks, and returns this year as the Youth Counselor Coordinator.  He grew up in Cambridge, MA, and spent parts of different summers on the vineyard in his youth before moving to Oakland, California, where he’s resided for the last 25 years.  Chris currently works as a screenwriter, but previously worked with high school and middle school students in Oakland, CA for the better part of a decade in roles primarily focused on culture and climate, with an eye towards mentoring young people by helping their development in terms of accountability and personal growth.  He looks forward to a great summer helping the counselors at the CCC realizing their vast potential as conscientious and hard working young people who strive to serve the campers in a joyous way that honors the long standing spirit of the CCC’s summer program.