Leadership

Tom Lorello

Executive Director

Tom Lorello began his work with the homeless more than 20 years ago as a mental health clinician working on the streets and at shelter facilities in Cambridge and the South Shore of Massachusetts. He advanced to leadership roles within several agencies offering assistance to homeless and low-income individuals and families including Tri-City Mental Health Center and National Homeless Technical Assistance Team with Advocates for Human Potential. Tom joined Heading Home in 2004, and under his leadership the agency successfully shifted its focus from providing emergency services to developing permanent supported housing programs. As a widely regarded expert in homelessness, Tom speaks both locally and nationally on innovative approaches to ending homelessness.
tlorello@headinghomeinc.org

Laura Booth

Director of Family Services 

With more than two decades of work dedicated to advocacy for low-income people in Greater Boston, Laura Booth brings expertise in public policy, program design and public housing to her position at Heading Home. In community-based organizations and coalitions and in government, Laura’s focus has been set on creating and supporting opportunities for people to enjoy the basic securities that in turn allow them to actively participate in all aspects of civic life. As Director of Family Services, Laura is responsible for implementing, evaluating and supporting Heading Home family programs.
lbooth@headinghomeinc.org 

Gordie Calkins

Director of Services

As our chief programmatic officer, Gordie Calkins provides direct supervision to six program managers and administrative oversight for more than 200 units of supported housing and more than 100 shelter units for both families and individuals in the Greater Boston area. Prior to joining Heading Home, he served as Program Director at First Step Homeless Street Outreach Program. Throughout the past decade, Gordie has served as case manager, program manager, and most recently director of services at Heading Home. Gordie has built an expertise in both intensive one-on-one client case management and in staff management and assists with program development.
gcalkins@headinghomeinc.org

Ivette Rodriquez

Director of Finance and Administration

Ivette Rodriguez joined Heading Home in 2004. Prior to joining Heading Home, she served as manager of financial systems at the YMCA of Greater Boston. She brings more than 10 years of experience to the position. Ivette oversees Heading Home’s financial and administrative operations, including all accounting and finance functions, human resources and facilities. She plays a vital role in our financial planning and forecasting, and in particular Heading Home’s asset management, financing strategies and activities, as well as development and monitoring of our budget.
irodriguez@headinghomeinc.org

Emily Smaldon

Development Director

As development director, Emily leads Heading Home’s efforts in annual giving, special events, major gifts, corporate partnerships and foundation grants. She brings to the position strong skills in fundraising, marketing and relationship management. Prior to joining Heading Home in 2010, Emily was part of the business development team for ADD Inc, a local architectural firm.
esmaldon@headinghomeinc.org