Reform of public policy processes, particularly in the current fiscal climate, represents a fundamental challenge requiring flexibility, strategic action, and responsive reform proposals. Such proposals must appeal to the broadest cross-section of constituents but be simultaneously bold enough to engender change. How can reform efforts reconcile often competing demands to produce change in a crisis? A recent evaluation of a governance reform initiative charged with addressing California's troubled policy environment suggested areas of both significant challenge and possibility for gaining broad support and providing bold leadership in the context of attempts to set, enact and implement a reform agenda while building broad support. Lessons and strategies that emerged included the need for engaging grass-roots and 'grass-tips' leaders and the advantages of simultaneous pursuit of ballot-box activism and legislative action. We will also discuss methodologies that can be used to identify and strengthen key strategies of governance reform. #AdvocacyandPolicyChange #reform #2011Conference