Laura Tancredi-Baese, CEO of Home Start, is joined by the nonprofit’s Director of Philanthropy, Mark Lagace, to talk about its annual Hallo-Wine Fall Festival on Saturday, October 22 at the Historic Burnham House in Balboa Park. The Festival raises much needed resources to support Home Start’s mission to prevent and treat child abuse.

Dr. Lauren Lek, Head of School for the Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP), and Diana Agostini, Director of Admissions for the venerable school, discuss how OLP leads in the way in advancing young women to pursue innovative STEM careers. Lek and Agostini chat about OLP’s inspiring school podcast and its state-of-the art multimedia facility.

Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts, a Medal of Honor Recipient, discusses his role as an ambassador of the life-changing Cohen Veterans Network. Pitts is joined by Shari Finney, Regional Clinical Director of Cohen Clinics in Southern California, to chat about the opening of the new Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village San Diego in Oceanside.

Douglas Wahl, President of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club, talks about the club’s 100 years of supporting the region’s nonprofits that help veterans, the homeless, seniors, the disabled, deaf and blind and underserved youth.

Michael McHale, President and CEO of St. Paul’s Senior Services, is joined by Amanda Gois, Chief Marketing Officer of St. Paul’s, to discuss the myriad programs and services of the organization, and how St. Paul’s is laser-beamed in its vision for addressing the challenges of senior care in the future.

Bill Payne, President & CEO of Second Chance, and Philip Stutzman, Development Director for the organization, talk about their success in significantly reducing recidivism among those who have been previously incarcerated. Payne and Stutzman discuss programs that deliver services in three areas: transitional housing, reentry strategies and workforce development.

Elizabeth Lou, CEO and President of Nile Sisters Development Initiative, chats about her organization’s mission to educate, support and offer training to refugee and immigrant women and their families by helping them overcome barriers to social and economic self-reliance.

Perette Godwin, a Girls Scouts San Diego Troop Leaders and Co-Chair of the Girl Scouts Power Her Promise campaign, chats about the campaign; the impact of being a Girl Scouts San Diego donor and/or volunteer; and the hundreds of thousands of leaders that the organization has produced since it was founded locally in 1917.

Kristen Amicone, Director of Intergenerational Programs for San Diego Oasis, discusses the organization’s mission to promote and embrace lifelong learning, health and wellness and community involvement through intergenerational programs. Amicone talks about Oasis’ purchase of a two-story building in Rancho Bernardo, scheduled to open in 2023.

Vincent J. Speranza, a U.S. Army “Battle of the Bulge” paratrooper, chats about his stories of combat and liberation. Speranza is joined by CJ Machado, CEO and Founder of Force-Con, a recently held three-day event that unites military and civilian forces for the “Greater Good” — supporting veteran advocacy.