Meet Karla

Karla D. Covarrubias Foster, MPP, is the Founder and Principal Consultant of KD Policy & Impact, LLC, where she provides policy analysis, legislative and regulatory research, program evaluation, fiscal review, and compliance monitoring services for government agencies, tribal nations, and mission-driven organizations. Her work focuses on strengthening public systems through evidence-based analysis, audit-ready reporting, and actionable recommendations that improve accountability and measurable outcomes.

Karla is a first-generation college graduate and single mother of four whose academic and professional journey reflects resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to public service. She began her higher education path at Mt. San Jacinto College, earning two Associate of Arts degrees and serving as the 2018 Commencement Speaker. She later transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a B.A. in Legal Studies and contributed to policy research examining barriers in higher-education hiring and accountability gaps in correctional health care oversight.

Karla earned her Master of Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, where she strengthened her expertise in legislative analysis, fiscal evaluation, performance measurement, and coalition-building strategies. During her time with the Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic, she supported statewide policy reform efforts focused on improving legal and financial outcomes for youth and families.

Professionally, Karla has delivered audits, fiscal reviews, program evaluations, and policy reports supporting organizations such as Californians for Safety and Justice, the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Berkeley Law. Her work consistently produces executive-ready deliverables that inform leadership decision-making, support compliance and oversight, and strengthen program implementation.

In addition to domestic policy work, Karla has participated in binational policy dialogues in Mexico, supporting cross-sector collaboration on environmental and social impact initiatives.

Through KD Policy & Impact, Karla brings a rigorous, systems-focused approach to evaluation and research, helping clients move from complex requirements and data to clear findings, practical strategies, and measurable results.

Outside of her professional work, Karla enjoys spending time with her children and loves exploring museums, traveling, discovering new places, and trying new foods as a self-described foodie.