Sarah Supple is operations manager and public information officer for Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency. She’s helping build public and political will for the city’s planned (and now under construction) 7-mile Rail Trail Loop and other projects that aim to connect neighborhoods, create more housing options, and support a thriving business community.
Sarah was a member of the 2023-2024 Equitable Development Data Insight Training (EDDIT) cohort, a project of the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Toronto. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, EDDIT helps cities build buy-in for equitable development. Since 2023, TheCaseMade has provided Strategic CaseMaking™ training to professionals from EDDIT cohort communities, including Albuquerque.
We talked to Sarah about what’s special about Albuquerque, why partnerships matter, the power of storytelling, and how she learned not to let the naysayers bring her down.
What do you love about where you live?
Albuquerque is one of the most unique and culturally rich cities that I have experienced in the country. We have our own traditions, flavors, and ways of being that as a whole we are deeply proud of. I love the people, the resilience, the sunshine, and the potential. There’s something really special about the way this city holds space for both history and possibility.
What’s your aspiration for Albuquerque?
I want to see an Albuquerque where every neighborhood is vibrant, connected, and cared for—where everyone feels a sense of pride, opportunity, and belonging. My aspiration is a city that is easier to walk in, safer to live in, more affordable to grow in, and more unified by design.
What are some of the dominant narratives and other obstacles you’re navigating?
One story we’re constantly up against is that downtown Albuquerque is beyond fixing, that it’s unsafe, or just not worth the effort.
That narrative can really overshadow real progress, improved public spaces, and a community that is deeply invested in our city's future. We’re not ignoring the challenges, but we’re showing up with honesty, consistency, and a clear vision for what’s possible.
How are you making the case for your vision of a healthier, more connected, and more livable city?
Lately, we have been leaning into partnerships with community groups like Bike ABQ and others who already care deeply about outdoor recreation, active and alternate forms of transportation, and more livable streets. By connecting with people and organizations who share those values, we’re building momentum around the Albuquerque Rail Trail in a way that invites the community to help shape and champion the project.
Would you share your best Strategic CaseMaking™ moment with us?
One of the most important mindset shifts I’ve had came during a CaseMaking discussion when someone said, “You’re not really talking to the negative commenters. You’re talking to the quiet readers who are still forming their opinions.”
That statement completely changed how I respond to criticism. It reminded me not to get discouraged by the loudest voices in the room, especially if they’re committed to misunderstanding the work we’re doing. Instead, I now see those moments when people make negative comments as opportunities to speak directly to the folks who are quietly listening, watching, and deciding where they stand. That shift gave me a new sense of clarity and optimism.
What’s your favorite Strategic CaseMaking™ tool or skill?
Storytelling. At the end of the day, everything can be told through a story, and that’s how people connect. Stories help people see themselves in the work we’re doing as a city, understand why it matters, and imagine what’s possible. Strategic CaseMaking™ has helped me become more intentional about leading with stories that reflect real experiences and shared values. Stories like that turn initiatives into something tangible people can feel, relate to, and claim as their own.
How has Strategic CaseMaking™ changed your approach to leadership?
For me, Strategic CaseMaking™ has reinforced the idea that leadership is most effective when it’s grounded in shared experience, trust, and a shared sense of ownership. Taking the time to find common ground and recognize that we often want the same things creates space for more honest conversations, deeper collaboration, and ultimately, a more fulfilling experience for everyone involved.
What are you working on next?
The ABQ Rail Trail is an ongoing effort, and we’re now breaking ground on different segments. For the first time, people are seeing visible progress on the trail taking shape across the city.
At the same time, we’re expanding housing options in historically underutilized areas, transforming vacant properties into mixed-income communities and vibrant developments, and activating public spaces through support for local businesses, neighborhood-led events, and community programming that brings people together.