Phoenix (STN) – It is a question every organization faces: how do you know when a pilot project or program is ready to become a permanent part of your operation? During a ‘Leading in the Moment’ panel discussion in the November 2025 episode of ‘It Happens at STN,’ UMOM leaders Jackson Fonder and Monique Lopez set out to answer it.
According to Fonder, success comes from recognizing what works, measuring it honestly, and building systems that last. That, he said, starts with ownership. “You can’t hand an initiative off to someone who just has extra time. You need someone who lives and breathes it in the morning and at night.” From there, he outlined three essentials: committed ownership, financial discipline, and clear outcomes. “Numbers matter. Run it like a business. Don’t fall in love with the idea; fall in love with the numbers.”
He shared a moment from Homegrown’s early days when Lopez noticed the high cost of the candied pecans served with salads. That simple observation helped reshape an entire program. “That insight changed everything,” Fonder said. “You have to follow your numbers.”
WATCH: From pilot to permanent: how leaders turn ideas into impact
Lopez explained how that thinking led UMOM to expand Homegrown beyond culinary training into warehouse and logistics. “We didn’t invent a new wheel,” she said. “We looked at what already worked and asked where else it could apply.” UMOM had just leased a 12,000-square-foot warehouse, the perfect space for a new training track focused on forklift certification, inventory management, and livable-wage employment.
She also emphasized the role of board members. “They’re not in the day-to-day, so you have to bring them along the journey,” she said. Lopez encourages boards to think in three program types: core, peripheral, and pilot. Each requires a different level of investment, risk, and accountability.
Fonder closed with a challenge to the audience. “Get out of your chair, walk your building, and look at what you already have. You’ll be surprised at what you find.”
