Greenbriar Children’s Center is proud to announce the addition of two new experienced members to the Board of Directors. New to the board are Connie Cooper and Anne-Marie Darsney.

Dr. Connie S. Cooper has a passion for working with families and children and has continued to do so after retirement. Dr. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Arts from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, a Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Over thirty years of employment afforded her the opportunity to work in several positions in social work and education. She spent the majority of her career working for the Savannah Chatham County Public School System, first as a School Social Worker and later as an Administrator for Special Projects and Alternative Programs. She spearheaded the organization of the Teen-Age Parenthood Program and served as the district’s first Director.  After twenty years with the Board of Education, she joined the Department of Juvenile Justice as the Educational Leader of the Communities In Schools. Annually, she accumulates numerous volunteer hours from her membership and involvement with several service organizations, boards, and church.

Anne-Marie Darsney has an extensive background of working with and supporting young children and families. She relocated to the Savannah area from the Northeast where she obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Wheelock College in Boston, MA. She spent years of her career working for a non-profit organization in Vermont focusing on early intervention services for children and educational/social supports for parents. She possesses hands-on experience providing home-based educational services to young children with evaluation and intervention supports. She has developed and overseen programs providing the Federal Part C Early Intervention services to families, as well as programs to promote social emotional health and well-being. She has worked very closely with childcare programs to establish curriculum that promotes resiliency.  Since moving to Savannah, Mrs. Darsney has volunteered her time at several local non-profits and is a current member of the Skidaway Kiwanis. 

“Greenbriar is pleased to have such qualified, enthusiastic members on board to further support our mission,” said Greenbriar Executive Director Gena Taylor. “These ladies have dedicated their lives to helping children, which means they will bring great expertise and share our values.”