Louis Chicoine 
Strategic Founder and Advisor

Louis was Abode’s leader for more than 30 years before he retired on April 11, 2025. His title at Abode now is Strategic Founder and Advisor.

During his leadership tenure, Louis’ vision and passion guided Abode and helped it become the Bay Area’s leading provider of housing and services to residents experiencing homelessness. During his tenure, Abode has grown from a local “start-up” with one shelter serving 66 adults and children into a regional organization that owns and operates hundreds of supportive housing units and provides services in eight counties to more than 16,750 adults and children each year.

In 2024, Abode started a successful succession plan, as Louis began serving as CEO of Abode Housing Development and Abode Property Management, making sure those entities within Abode’s family of agencies grow responsibly and continue to improve the health of the community by implementing programs that end homelessness. He served in that role until his retirement.

Louis is past president of the Alameda County Council of Mental Health Agencies, serves on the board of directors for Destination:Home, and is a trustee on the Holy Names University board of trustees. He holds a Bachelor's degree in philosophy from Holy Names University in Oakland; a Master’s degree in social work administration from California State University, Sacramento; and a Master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Seattle University.