Grandma's House of Hope

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Irene Basdakis

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Irene has resided in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and has faithfully served her communities for the past 34 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 Coopers & Lybrand, 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 and is 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. Since 2019, under Irene’s leadership, 3,660 volunteers donated over 12,000 hours distributing clothing and essential items, along with 2.1 million pounds of food to help Southern California neighbors in need. Irene is a founding member and past President of the Parish Council at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Juan Capistrano, California. She continues to serve on the St. Basil Parish Council. Irene also serves as a Board of Director Member with the Community Action Partnership of Orange County and the Hellenic Law Society of California. Irene and John have been married for thirty years and have two adult children – Caroline and Spiro.

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