Staff Members

Deana Cavan 
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Deana always considered herself a caregiver, first to the earth in her environmental studies in college, and then to her students as a dedicated yoga teacher.

But when she first held Rett in her arms and continued to nurture him through his unyielding battle with cancer, she realized her life’s true calling. Rett’s Roost has become a positive outlet for the grief of losing her precious boy.

With her impeccable organizational skills, efficient time & task management, drive to do good, and deep compassion for families like hers, she has created something powerful and sustainable to honor her son.

Anne Lynch ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Anne is a native of MA but has made the seacoast of NH her home for the past sixteen years.

Anne served as a home school tutor for Gary who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of thirteen. Over the years through many ups and downs of remission, recurrence and surgeries, Anne became a close friend of Gary and his family. She rode in the Pan Mass Challenge with Gary as her motivation for six years and served as a volunteer for many more. When Gary passed at the age of thirty, Anne turned her efforts to the Boston Marathon and ran it three times to raise money for the Mass General Hospital for Children in Gary’s name.

Anne is excited to combine her skill set of fundraising, event management, and data analytics to help Rett’s Roost. Anne is the proud aunt to Joe, Courtney and Grace and enjoys any moment she can spend with them.

Jess Austin PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Jess became connected with Rett’s Roost shortly after her son, Evan, was diagnosed with DIPG (a terminal brain tumor) in July 2019.

Rett’s Roost has been a great support to the Austin family over the past few years and the Austins have also participated in multiple fundraising events. Jess has a background in Psychology and previously worked as a Disability Case Manager for many years. Since Evan’s passing in June 2022, she has been volunteering for Rett’s Roost and recently took on the role of Program Coordinator. Jess is planning to assist with running bereavement retreats and event planning.

She is looking forward to continuing to connect with and support other bereaved families. Jess lives on the seacoast of NH with her husband Brent and daughter Avery.

Lisa Vincent GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR

Lisa has been writing grants and helping non-profits secure funding for almost two decades and recently joined the Rett’s Roost team.

Lisa’s passion is helping smaller organizations with a mission close to her heart and she is honored to help propel Rett’s Roost forward to serve more families and children impacted by cancer. Lisa lives in New Hampshire with her husband of 39 years and is fortunate to have four of her five children living locally, with the fifth serving in the USAF stationed in Germany.