San Diego nonprofit Home Start has announced the retirement of CEO Laura Tancredi-Baese and the appointment of Joe Buehrle as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Buehrle, a longtime nonprofit leader, brings more than 20 years of experience focused on child abuse prevention, social justice, and community health. Before joining Home Start, he was Vice President of Strategy and Development at SAY San Diego, where he oversaw a $30 million budget and played a key role in expanding equity initiatives and securing major funding from government and private sectors.
He also served as the founding Board Chair of Zero8hundred, a regional network supporting military transition, and previously chaired the San Diego Nonprofit Association. His leadership work spans statewide and national organizations focused on family support and social equity.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Home Start board for entrusting me with the opportunity to build on Laura Tancredi-Baese’s incredible legacy and guide the organization into this next season as a community-driven partner,” Buehrle said.
Tancredi-Baese will step down in June after 18 years leading the organization. During her tenure, she expanded Home Start’s services and outreach, launching programs aimed at child abuse prevention, early intervention, treatment, and housing for families in need.
She spearheaded seven capital projects over 16 years, providing housing for hundreds. She also founded the Maternity Housing Program for pregnant young women and mothers in unsafe situations. Under her leadership, the nonprofit also launched two social enterprises—Home Start Thrift Boutique and Bright Futures Candles—to offer job training and employment to those in transitional housing.
During her time as CEO, the organization’s budget nearly tripled to over $13 million, staffing grew to 115 employees, and Home Start acquired five multi-unit residential properties. She also led the organization to establish an endowment fund and grow its strategic reserves to nearly $2 million.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead Home Start. I’m incredibly proud of the countless lives we’ve touched together—a legacy I will always treasure. Joe is a thoughtful and capable leader, and I’m excited to see him guide Home Start into our next inspiring chapter,” Tancredi-Baese said.
Last year, Home Start served over 15,000 San Diegans through its programs aimed at strengthening families and preventing child abuse.
More information can be found at www.home-start.org.
