Uniting for Change: Collaborative Project Management for an Incoming President
In 2008, the Green Group—a coalition of nearly 30 national and international environmental organizations—seized the opportunity to influence U.S. environmental policy as the Obama administration prepared to take office. Through meticulous project management, shared accountability, and unified communication, I helped the coalition deliver a groundbreaking 380-page report of strategic recommendations that shaped the administration’s priorities on climate change, conservation, and sustainability. This collaboration offers a blueprint for achieving high-impact results in complex, multi-organization initiatives.
President Obama visits Alaska to discuss climate change legislation.
Photo: Pete Souza for the White House.
In 2008, as the Obama administration prepared to take office, environmental organizations across the country saw a pivotal opportunity to influence national policy on climate change, conservation, and sustainable development. The stakes were high, and the potential impact was enormous. Enter the “Green Group,” an unprecedented coalition of nearly 30 national and international environmental organizations dedicated to presenting a unified, strategic set of recommendations. I led this collaboration, which required thoughtful project management, shared ownership, and a commitment to leveraging each organization’s strengths. This experience illustrated the essential elements that make large-scale partnerships successful when the stakes are high and the mission is groundbreaking.
“Kristen organized, designed, and laid out a groundbreaking 380-page report for the incoming Obama Administration, uniting over 30 national conservation organizations—the sole reason it was so effective and impactful.”
Leveraging Expertise: Playing to Each Organization’s Strengths
One of the first steps in this collaboration was identifying the unique strengths that each organization brought to the table. Each group had a specialized focus—some excelled in international policy analysis, others in grassroots advocacy, and others in scientific research. Our strategy involved aligning these strengths to maximize impact, ensuring each organization had a role that played to its expertise. This approach helped streamline efforts, reduced redundancy, and ensured that every voice in the coalition added specific, irreplaceable value to the unified message we were crafting for the administration.
Distributing Ownership and Accountability: Creating a Shared Commitment
For a coalition of this scale, distributing ownership and accountability was crucial. Each organization took on a share of responsibility, creating a structure where every member felt invested in the project’s success. We established clear roles and expectations, allowing each group to take ownership of its contributions while remaining accountable to the coalition’s shared goals. This distributed ownership helped prevent bottlenecks and maintained momentum, with each organization committed to the larger vision.
The Backbone of Success: Organized and Meticulous Project Management
In a collaboration of this magnitude—one that had never been attempted before—keeping every element organized was essential. Meticulous project management provided the backbone for our success, ensuring that the “train stayed on the tracks” despite the many moving parts. Recognizing the complexity of crafting recommendations across various areas, we assigned dedicated teams to focus on each federal agency, covering legislative, budgetary, and administrative policies. This structure allowed each team to dive deeply into their area, ensuring that recommendations were well-researched, tailored, and actionable.
Regular progress checks, detailed timelines, and clear deliverables were built into the project framework to keep the coalition on track. This disciplined approach to project management ensured that each recommendation aligned with the coalition’s shared vision, allowing us to meet deadlines and present a comprehensive, united front to the administration.
Leadership Commitment: Setting the Tone for Collaboration
CEOs from each organization were deeply committed and dedicated resources and time to the effort.
High-stakes projects require strong leadership commitment to guide the coalition through inevitable challenges. Key leaders from each organization committed time, resources, and strategic input, setting a tone of dedication and perseverance. Leadership established a culture of transparency, trust, and respect, fostering an environment where organizations felt comfortable sharing both successes and challenges. This commitment from the top encouraged collaboration across all levels and set the stage for successful teamwork.
A Unified Communications Strategy: Speaking with One Voice
“Transition to Green” Report. Access the report (external link) —>
With many voices involved, developing a unified communications strategy was essential to ensure that our recommendations were coherent, compelling, and clear. We crafted a shared narrative that reflected the coalition’s diverse perspectives while emphasizing a singular vision. This united message allowed us to present a strong, cohesive front to the Obama administration, increasing the likelihood that our recommendations would resonate. The coalition's communications strategy extended across press releases, public statements, and direct engagements, underscoring the unity of the Green Group in advocating for environmental priorities.
Face-to-Face Engagement: Meeting with the Transition Team
While much of the coalition’s work could be done remotely, in-person meetings with the transition team became a critical component of our strategy. These meetings allowed for real-time discussion, relationship-building, and a chance to convey the urgency and weight of our recommendations. By engaging directly with transition members, the coalition was able to communicate both the details and the broader vision of our proposals, enhancing understanding and fostering alignment with the administration’s incoming priorities.
Key Takeaways: A Blueprint for Collaborative Success
The Green Group’s coalition presented an invaluable blueprint for achieving high-impact results in collaborative projects. Leveraging expertise, distributing ownership, committing leadership, unifying communications, and engaging directly with stakeholders—all were vital in achieving our goals. This experience demonstrated that, when united by a shared mission and supported by strong project management, diverse organizations can come together to accomplish what might otherwise seem impossible.
