If you’re receiving this, it’s because we’ve crossed paths — or because I admire the work you’re doing to create community impact, whether through climate resilience, mobility, economic development, or urban innovation.

Nader Afzalan, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO, The Triangle

Endowed Chair of Social Justice & Visiting Professor, University of California Berkeley

What’s the secret behind programs that actually work? (Early Signals from the Field)

After more than a decade helping government and nonprofit leaders design and implement programs, I decided to take a step back—pause, listen, and learn directly from others shaping the field.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been speaking with leaders who are behind some of the biggest programs making headlines—climate, equity, infrastructure, just transition, economic development. These are the people who’ve moved billions in public funding, launched statewide initiatives, and made a tangible difference on the ground, not just in reports.

Their work spans every level: from state efforts like California’s regional economic development strategies, to regional climate initiatives in Rio de Janeiro, to local transformations like harbor redevelopment in San Francisco.

I asked them a simple question: What makes a program truly successful?

I’m still conducting interviews, but even the early takeaways have been interesting and helpful. I’ll be sharing deeper and more detailed insights later this summer. And, for now, let’s look at some of the early and high level results.

Early Signals

The following are early patterns emerging based on the interviews so far.

1. Relationships matter more than strategy.
If there’s one thing everyone agrees on, it’s this: no spreadsheet or logic model can replace trust. Programs succeed when the right people know each other, respect each other, and are willing to work through the mess together.

2. Clarity without flexibility kills innovation.
Programs with a clear purpose but rigid rules do not work. The best ones set direction and leave room for communities to adapt, lead, and surprise you. If your RFP reads like a rulebook, you’re already in trouble.

3. We’ve got a “solution-in-search-of-a-problem” problem.
Far too many programs are launched before we actually understand the root issue. One leader told me bluntly: “We built the solution, then went back to figure out the problem it was solving.” We need to flip that script.

4. Quick wins build trust—but they can’t be fake.
People want to see something real, fast. But if your quick win is just a PR, communities can smell it. The programs that last show early progress while keeping the long game in mind.

5. Leadership is still everything.
Behind every successful program? Someone who was willing to take a risk. A mayor who picked a fight. A program officer who said no to the status quo. Bureaucracy moves slowly—but bold leadership still cuts through.

There are still Differences in Perspective

Even among the most seasoned leaders, perspectives differ:

• Some strongly believe in the value of decision making tools like Logic Models and Theory of Change. Others say they’re not worth the time.

• Some want more community engagement. Others say we’re drowning in it.

• Some want tight program guidelines. Others say flexibility is the only way to adapt.

I will provide more detailed and emerging patterns later this summer.

So, What next?

So, what’s next? I’ll continue conducting interviews and drawing on both personal and professional experience. Over the next several months, I’ll share more detailed findings, along with practical tools and lessons for those of us working to build programs that don’t just look good on paper, but actually deliver real impact.

Want to be considered for the next round of these interviews? Send us a note.

Thank you to the leaders who have joined the project and participated in interview sessions so far. Below is the list of interviewees, in alphabetical order:

• Ken Alex (Former Senior Advisor to Governor Brown)

• Sam Assefa (Director, California Governor's Office of Land-use and Climate Innovation)

• Kate Burns (Executive Director, MetroLab Network)

• Jessica Buendia (Chief Impact Officer, Coalition for Green Capital)

• Gane Gilbert (Chief Heat Officer, Miami-Dade County)

• Kate Gordon (CEO, California Forward)

• Jessica Hammerling (Co-Director of the Green Economy Program, UC Berkeley Labor Center)

• Sean Kennedy (Deputy Director of Energy Investments, California Governor’s Office. Strategic Growth Council)

• Kacey Lizon (Deputy Executive Director of Programs, SACOG)

• Saharnaz Mirzazad (Executive Director, ICLEI USA)

• Nathan Ohle (President and CEO, International Economic Development Council)

• Andrea Ouse (Director of Community Development, City of West Sacramento)

• David Shabazian (Former Director, California Department of Conservation)

• Tim Male (Executive Director, Environmental Policy Innovation Center)

• Tim Male (Executive Director, Environmental Policy and Innovation Center)

• Gia Vacin (Deputy Director, California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development)

• Kate Wright (Executive Director, Climate Mayors)

The Triangle’s Corner is where we share practical ideas to help focus on real outcomes—whether it's building climate resilience, supporting just communities, or creating smarter cities.

Nader Afzalan, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO, The Triangle

Endowed Chair of Social Justice & Visiting Professor, UC Berkeley