Will Gaines
Vice President of Talent and Culture

Will provides leadership and guidance to Abode’s Human Resources, Training, and Quality Improvement departments, including the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB). He a dynamic Human Resources leader with 20 years of experience driving performance and enhancing employee engagement across diverse industries from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Will excels in optimizing employee effectiveness, satisfaction, and retention. He designs and implements sustainable employee journey strategies that drive organizational productivity and foster a culture of engagement and accountability. His stragegic approach to workforce development enhances employee capability, retention, and overall organizational performance.

Prior to joining Abode, Will served as Vice President of Human Resources at Super Store Industries, where he led HR and People Operations for the organization, reporting directly to the CEO and collaborating closely with the Board of Directors. He developed and executed HR strategies in partnership with executives to drive organization-wide change and foster growth. He harmonized organizational design with employee capabilities and oversaw acquisition integration. Will excels in aligning talent with business goals and enhancing leadership effectiveness, while driving a people-first employee experience that fosters engagement, growth, and high performance. As a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council, he has written and contributed to several articles on key HR topics, including change management, talent acquisition, total rewards, artificial intelligence, and the employee experience. His insights have guided organizations in navigating the evolving landscape of HR and people operations with clarity and innovation.

Will holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management/Management Information Systems from Wayland Baptist University and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Brandman University/UMASS Global. He holds a SHRM-SCP and SPHR certifications, along with certificates in HR Analytics from Cornell and Business Coaching from the University of the Pacific. He is also completing the CHRO program at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.