Unlocking Outcomes: Q&A with Warner Graham
Warner Graham, Chief Program Officer
Warner Graham has been with A Better Way (ABW) for almost six years. What drew him here, and what keeps him here, is simple: Service with purpose. In this quick Q&A, he shares what motivates him, the wins that matter most, and how flexible support can turn crisis into engagement.
Q: What first drew you to this work, and why have you stayed?
Warner: I’ve always been drawn to service. I want to do work that challenges systems and helps people thrive. When I moved from New York to California, I met David [Channer, our CEO] and then Shahnaz [Mazandarani, our Founder]. I could tell right away this wasn’t just a job. There was a deeper “why” behind the work.
I thought I’d stay two years. Six years later, I’m still here. When you find purpose and people you care about, you grow with it. That’s what keeps me.
Q: Can you share a recent “positive outcome” that stands out?
Warner: One young person had been in care most of their life, bouncing from place to place. When they came into one of our homes, they finally found stability. With support from their attorney, the County, and our team, they not only settled, but graduated high school. That was huge.
“If a family is about to lose housing or electricity, it’s almost impossible to focus on therapy. Pay the bill, remove the crisis, and suddenly they can engage.”
Another youth just finished a summer bridge program before college. For them, showing up and sticking with it was a big win. Now they’re excited about school, and even their texts feel lighter. Moments like that, when a young person starts to see a future for themselves, are what keep me going.
Q: What are your top priorities for the coming year?
Warner: Three things:
Unified Client Voice: One client survey across all programs so everyone is heard.
Living the Model: Making sure the Integrated Core Practice Model guides our leadership, language, and accountability.
Pathways to Leadership: Helping staff grow into leaders through advocacy, training, and new opportunities.
Q: How do donations compare to contracts when it comes to changing outcomes?
Warner: Contracts keep programs going, but they don’t always meet personal needs. Things like holiday drives, backpacks, or even coffee with a resource parent send the message, “You matter.”
What we need more of are flexible dollars. If a family is about to lose housing or electricity, it’s almost impossible to focus on therapy. Pay the bill, remove the crisis, and suddenly they can engage.
Q: How do we support staff so they can bring their best to families?
Warner: The work is tough: caseloads, travel, crises. That’s why relationships are key. Staff get weekly check-ins, group support, training on trauma, and access to therapy benefits.
But the best support is community. When staff feel connected, they can give their best. Resilience is not built alone. It is built together.
Q: What tells you this work is making a difference?
Warner: Almost 30 years as an agency. That says something. Numbers matter, but the real proof is in the moments. A parent who feels heard. A youth who feels safe.
For me, impact comes from reflection. We always ask: what worked, what didn’t, and how do we get better? That’s how we stay effective, and that’s how we stay human.