Policy That Works for People, Not Just on Paper
KD Policy & Impact helps public agencies and nonprofits find where laws and programs break down in practice — and what to do about it.
Specializing in AI & Emerging Technologies
Big ideas, real impact.
KD Policy & Impact is a SAM.gov–registered federal contractor and SBA-certified Women-Owned and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB/EDWOSB), eligible to support federal and federally funded projects nationwide.
Services We Offer
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Laws and programs don't always work the way they were intended. KD Policy & Impact helps public agencies and nonprofits identify where policies break down in practice — assessing compliance risks, analyzing how legislation operates in real-world contexts, and delivering clear, data-informed recommendations that strengthen decision-making and program performance.
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Artificial intelligence is reshaping how government agencies and nonprofits design, deliver, and oversee programs — but policy and legislation are struggling to keep pace. KD Policy & Impact helps organizations understand the evolving legal and regulatory landscape around AI, evaluate how emerging technologies are being used in programs, identify compliance risks and gaps, and uncover missed opportunities to leverage technology more effectively and equitably. We deliver clear, actionable analysis so your organization stays ahead — not behind.
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Sound policy starts with solid evidence. KD Policy & Impact conducts policy-focused research and evidence reviews — including legal analysis, data analysis, and literature reviews — to synthesize complex information, identify trends and best practices, and provide a strong foundation that informs policy development, program design, and strategic decision-making.
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Programs can look good on paper and still fall short in practice — often because the experiences of the people they're meant to serve aren't reflected in how they're designed or measured. KD Policy & Impact evaluates program performance and engages stakeholders to surface what's actually happening on the ground, uncovering gaps, elevating community voices, and delivering findings that support more equitable, effective outcomes.
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Compliance vulnerabilities and operational gaps rarely surface on their own — and by the time they do, the cost is higher. KD Policy & Impact assesses how programs and systems actually operate in practice, identifying where internal controls, documentation, and processes fall short before problems escalate. The result is clear, actionable findings that strengthen accountability, reduce risk, and position programs for long-term, audit-ready performance.
Let’s Work Together
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"The most powerful thing I do is make visible what others overlook — the gaps, the failures, the fine print — and who pays the price when no one is looking."
— Karla D. Covarrubias Foster, MPP
Founder & Principal Consultant
Who We Are
Karla D. Covarrubias Foster, MPP
Founder & Principal Consultant
Karla D. Covarrubias Foster founded KD Policy & Impact on one belief: policies and programs should work for the people they're meant to serve — not just on paper.
She holds a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, both from UC Berkeley — credentials she earned as a first-generation Latina. That foundation shapes everything: rigorous analysis, clear findings, and an unflinching focus on what's actually at stake when systems fail the people depending on them.
Her work spans federal compliance monitoring, program evaluation, operational assessments, and AI and technology policy — always translating complex, high-stakes challenges into findings that drive real change.
She brings what few consultants can: analytical depth, compliance precision, and the perspective of someone who understands from the inside how institutions shape — and too often limit — access to opportunity.
KD Policy & Impact is a SAM.gov-registered federal contractor and SBA-certified WOSB/EDWOSB, serving clients nationwide.
Policy & Legislative Analysis in Practice
Prior to founding KD Policy & Impact, Karla built a foundation of policy, evaluation, and research experience across leading institutions:
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Independently produced a 70-page legislative and policy analysis examining AI-driven surveillance, emerging technology policy, and equity in California's retail theft laws — delivering evidence-based recommendations that balance technological innovation with justice for marginalized communities.
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Led qualitative research and in-depth resident interviews for a comprehensive evaluation of SF's homelessness prevention program — translating lived experiences into evidence-based recommendations to improve program design and service delivery.
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Led multi-stakeholder coalition advocacy and legislative analysis to address juvenile fees and fines disproportionately impacting BIPOC youth and families — facilitating stakeholder roundtables, conducting policy research, and developing recommendations to advance more equitable outcomes.
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Co-authored published research examining how criminal background check policies in California's public higher education system create barriers to employment and opportunity for college graduates with criminal records.
Active Engagements
Since founding the firm in October 2025, KD Policy & Impact has actively pursued and supported engagements across federal compliance monitoring, operational assessments, AI equity research, and community-informed policy analysis—working with state and local governments, federal initiatives, and nonprofit organizations nationwide.