The Program Labs was founded in 2024 by Alex Waters, after experiencing promising programs launch with great excitement, only to disappear in a few years. To change this reality The Program Labs focuses on how organizations design, launch, and sustain social impact programs. We are developing a new approach that treats program development as product development, focusing equally on five essential areas: Commitment, Operational Execution, Organizational Mindset, Perception and Strategy.
The Program Labs has already secured a partnership with the San Diego College of Continuing Education to test new models through the development of a Business Resource Center. Looking ahead, we aim to develop better tools, refine program models, and test concepts more rapidly. Our goal is to redefine program development in the nonprofit sector by ensuring initiatives are built for long-term sustainability. By working directly with organizations to provide the tools and strategies that serve community needs.
Alex Waters is a leader in nonprofit innovation and startup ecosystem development, creating opportunities through entrepreneurship and workforce programming. As Executive Director of The Program Labs, Alex helps nonprofits designs programs that drive economic growth and empower communities. He was selected as SD Metro’s 40 Under 40 (2022) and to The San Diego Business Journal’s 500 Most Influential People (2021).
Alex launched San Diego’s first LMI and diversity-focused business accelerator at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation. This initiative earned HUD’s 2020 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The program graduated 129 founders, created/retained 40+ jobs, and generated $3M in investments. Prior to this he led the Collaboratory for entrepreneurs in San Diego’s tech and creative sectors.
Alex also spent close to decade in Education Technology, has taught business and leadership at the University of San Diego, been an Enterprise Innovation Consultant, mentored for Techstars and currently serves on the Boards of the SDSU Research Foundation and Neighborhood House Association.
He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of Maryland – College Park and an MA in Philosophy from San Diego State University.