Our New CEO
"Given the challenges of delivering housing and supporting services to the most vulnerable population of Orange County (those facing homelessness), GHH needed a leader with compassion and business skills to effectively guide the organization in meeting the needs of our clients. Irene is a very gracious leader with incredible executive skills being an attorney, having financial experience and having lead other nonprofits. She is a high energy, focused leader who is already making a difference." - Lee Proimos, GHH Board Chair
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Get to know Irene Basdakis…
Irene has resided in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and has faithfully served her communities for the past 35 years. Originally from Massachusetts, Irene pursued her undergraduate degree in Business and Accounting at Salem State University, where she was elected Student Body President. After college, Irene worked at the Boston office of the multi-national accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand. While she enjoyed her time at the firm, Irene decided to fulfill her dream of becoming a lawyer.
In 1988 Irene moved to Los Angeles to attend law school, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate and was admitted to the California State Bar. She met her husband, John Basdakis, shortly after she moved to California, at the Long Beach Greek Festival.
Irene became a law professor and then formed a company to help prepare law students nationwide with their studies and prepare them to pass the California Baby Bar and California Bar exams.
With a heart for ministry, Irene joined FOCUS North America in 2019 as the Director of FOCUS Southern California, a non-profit Orthodox organization that engages people in Christ’s call to serve by providing opportunities and resources for communities in need. Under Irene’s leadership, 5,100 volunteers donated over 17,000 hours distributing clothing and essential items, along with 2.5 million pounds of food to help Southern California neighbors in need.
Irene joined Grandma’s House of Hope in January 2024 as their Chief Executive Officer. Irene believes that her prior outreach serving others and her life and work experiences prepared her well for the opportunity to lead an amazing organization that provides housing to chronically homeless adult men & women experiencing severe life challenges. Irene is grateful to work alongside her dedicated staff and Board of Directors to empower the invisible populations in Orange County.
In 2022, Irene began serving on the Board of Directors for Community Action Partnership in Orange County and was elected as Chairman of the Board in June 2023. Irene is also a founding member and past President of the Parish Council at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Juan Capistrano, California. She has continuously served on the St. Basil Parish Council since its inception in 2003.
Irene and John have been married for thirty-one years and have two adult children – Caroline and Spiro.
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