Meet Karla

I am Karla D. Covarrubias Foster, Founder & CEO of KD Policy & Impact — a firm built on resilience, leadership, and action. My mission is clear: to turn lived experience into measurable results that strengthen systems, empower communities, and drive lasting change.

My journey began as a first-generation student and single mother of four, determined to expand opportunity and open doors for the next generation. From Mt. San Jacinto College, where I earned two Associate of Arts degrees and delivered the 2018 Commencement Address to more than 8,000 people, to UC Berkeley, where I completed a degree in Legal Studies, I transformed challenges into momentum. At Berkeley, I co-published research on barriers in higher-education hiring and examined accountability gaps in correctional health care, including injustices faced by disabled individuals in custody.

I went on to earn a Master of Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, where I deepened my expertise in legislative drafting, fiscal analysis, and coalition building. At the Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic, I co-led a statewide campaign that eliminated harmful juvenile fines and expanded protections for youth and families — reforms that continue to shape California policy today.

Throughout my career, I have delivered audits, fiscal reviews, program evaluations, and policy reports for organizations including Californians for Safety and Justice, the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Berkeley Law. These projects produced executive-ready deliverables that informed legislation, guided public programs, and advanced accountability. I have also led binational policy dialogues in Mexico, building bridges across borders to strengthen collaboration on environmental and social-impact initiatives.

Through KD Policy & Impact, I don’t just produce reports — I deliver strategies, audits, and evaluations that help leaders move from insight to action with clarity, accountability, and measurable impact.

Because true progress isn’t defined by systems on paper — it’s defined by communities empowered, results achieved, and opportunities multiplied for generations to come.

Beyond my professional work, I value the simple moments with my children — sharing meals, exploring museums, and discovering new places together.