Columbus House Announces Louis Gill As New CEO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE • March 21, 2025
COLUMBUS HOUSE ANNOUNCES LOUIS GILL AS NEW CEO
Experienced Nonprofit Leader to Guide Organization’s Mission
NEW HAVEN, CT –Columbus House is proud to announce the appointment of Louis Gill as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1st. Gill brings over 20 years of experience leading housing and homelessness services, with a proven track record of building and expanding programs that provide long-term solutions to homelessness.
From 2000 to 2021, Gill served as CEO of Bethany Services, Inc., which operated Bakersfield Homeless Center and the Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault. Under his leadership, the organization grew its services significantly, increasing shelter capacity, launching rapid rehousing initiatives, and creating job development programs for individuals facing difficulties finding employment. These efforts resulted in permanent housing and job placements for thousands of people.
Most recently, Gill served as Chief Program Officer for Community Action Partnership of Kern, where he oversaw programmatic operations for a $112 million nonprofit that serves over 114,000 people annually. His vast experience managing large-scale services, combined with his deep commitment to housing as a solution to homelessness, will help advance Columbus House’s mission of providing life-saving shelter, outreach, and housing.
Gill holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Art in Spanish from San Francisco State University. His early work in the Mission District of San Francisco and time living in Mexico City fueled his passion for helping underserved communities and deepened his appreciation for Mexican culture. Originally from California’s San Joaquin Valley, he was raised on his family’s ranch and values the importance of community and resilience. Gill and his wife, Kate, have been married for 29 years and have three adult children.
"We are thrilled to welcome Louis Gill to Columbus House," said Stephen Ziegelmayer, chair of the Columbus House Board of Directors. "His passion, professional background and accomplishments, strategic vision, and dedication to housing solutions will be instrumental in expanding our services and deepening our impact in the community."
About Columbus House
Columbus House opened its doors in 1982 to provide services for women and men at least 18 years of age. Its goals quickly broadened from the provision of food and shelter to understanding and addressing the root causes of homelessness. Alongside its dedicated supporters, friends, and volunteers, Columbus House remains committed to fulfilling its mission: "to serve people experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk by providing life-saving outreach, shelter, and housing and by fostering their personal growth and independence. We advocate for and create affordable housing to end homelessness in our communities."
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Download a copy of the press release (PDF)
Media Contact:
Bob Serow, Interim Chief Development Officer
(203) 215-8569 • bserow@columbushouse.org