Staff

I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of Zack’s Place and to be part of an organization that means so much to our community. As I begin my third year in this role, I continue to be inspired every day by the individuals we serve, their families, our dedicated staff and volunteers, and the incredible generosity of the Woodstock community.

Woodstock has been home to me for 35 years, and I have worked in this community for 40 years. I raised my children here and am proud to see them carry forward the values of kindness, compassion, inclusion, and community that Woodstock has given our family. My deep connection to this community is at the heart of my commitment to Zack’s Place.

Before joining Zack’s Place, I spent nearly nine years working for another local nonprofit, where I experienced firsthand the incredible difference that community support can make. I hold a BA in Psychology from Castleton University, and throughout my career I have been passionate about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping people feel valued and connected.

Over the past two years at Zack’s Place, I have been fortunate to see our organization grow and evolve while staying true to our mission. My focus is on continuing to expand opportunities for participation, friendship, creativity, and inclusion so that everyone we serve has a place where they belong.

I am incredibly proud of our Zack’s Place community and excited about the future. Together with our board, staff, volunteers, families, and community partners, we are creating a place where everyone is welcomed, celebrated, and given the opportunity to connect, participate, and thrive.

Outside of Zack’s Place, you’ll often find me playing pickleball, hiking local trails with my black lab, Chance, spending time with my grandchildren, or taking photographs of the beautiful place we are fortunate to call home.

Holly O’Brien graduated from the Westminster School in Simsbury, CT in 1982. She attended the University of Vermont from September 1982 to December 1983, studying early childhood and special education. She moved back to her hometown of Hamden, CT in the spring of 1984, continuing her education at Southern Connecticut State University and Paier College of Art. She and her husband Nick and their four daughters (Catharine, Lindsay, Courtney and Kelsey) moved to Reading, Vermont from Guilford, CT in the spring of 1994, where Holly and Nick still reside today.

Holly worked for several years as a para educator at the Reading Elementary School, along with coaching soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse at WUMS and WUHS for many years. In 2001, they purchased the South Woodstock Country Store, which Holly ran with her brother Dan Noble for 15 years, until they sold it in the fall of 2015. It was at this time that she made the connection with Zack’s Place and became a part-time Program Director, eventually accepting the position of Associate Director in the spring of 2016.

Holly loves working at ZP. It is such an amazing place and she is grateful for all the friendships she has made and for the opportunity to work with such a wonderful and special group of people. In her spare time, Holly enjoys the outdoors, including hiking, gardening and playing sports, but most of all she loves spending time with her family.

Sarah graduated in 1988 from St. Lawrence University with a B.A. and in 1994 from Bridgewater State College with an M.Ed. She taught Special Education at a residential school on Cape Cod for 5 years before moving to Pomfret, VT with her twin sons, Max and Sam. Sarah is also certified as a Reading Specialist and tutors children in reading and SAT preparation.

She started as a substitute at Zack’s Place in March of 2013 and became a part-time staff member in June of 2013. She loves the many friendships, positive energy and community involvement found at Zack’s Place.

Lydia Locke joined Zack’s Place as Program Director in February 2025. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Boston University and spent 12 years with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in Boston, serving first as Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs and later as Director of Staff Development.

Lydia is passionate about equity and helping every person feel heard and seen. She considers it a privilege to spend time with Zack’s Place participants and learn from them. She values Zack’s Place for its commitment to each person’s talents and strengths, and for creating a welcoming space where everyone can learn, connect, and enjoy one another’s company.

Kiki Bresnahan joined Zack’s Place as Program Director after being an important part of our community for more than two years. Before joining our staff, Kiki was a caregiver for a Zack’s Place participant and became involved in our art programming as well. Her experience as a caregiver and her connection with our participants have given her a unique understanding of what makes Zack’s Place so special.

Kiki loves the diversity of programming and activities we offer and the many opportunities our participants have to try new things, discover interests, build friendships, and simply have fun. She feels that it is the participants and the people who support Zack’s Place who truly make our organization special.

When asked what she does for work, Kiki has a simple answer: “I spend my days at the happiest place on earth.” She says, “The patience and love everyone has for each other is truly impressive.”

Kiki is passionate about her two families—her own family and her extended Zack’s Place family. She brings that same warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm to her role as Program Director, helping create meaningful and joyful experiences for everyone who walks through our doors.

Outside of Zack’s Place, Kiki shares a small business with her daughter called The Sticky Chicks. They love spending time together at farmers markets, where they spin cotton candy and sell their maple butter popcorn. For Kiki, family, community, creativity, and connection are at the heart of what makes life special.