Meet Kara-Murray Badal

Kara Murray-Badal is a proud Oakland native, a dynamic leader, and a passionate advocate for community-driven change. As the Director of the Housing Venture Lab at Terner Labs, Kara spearheads innovative housing solutions, blending expertise from both private and non-profit sectors to address some of Oakland’s most pressing challenges. Her commitment to equitable development and sustainable communities stems from a lifetime of firsthand experiences growing up in Oakland’s District 2 and witnessing the stark inequities that shaped her diverse neighborhoods.

Kara’s career spans impactful roles such as Crisis Project Manager at Bayer Healthcare and Deputy Director at The Mosaic Project, where she fostered cross-cultural communication and spearheaded diversity initiatives. An alumna of Stanford University, Harvard Kennedy School, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, she combines world-class education with grassroots organizing experience to build bridges across communities and create transformative policies. Kara has consulted on safety policy for cities nationwide, led electoral campaign operations, and supported innovative housing solutions like building mixed income neighborhood trusts and using Medicaid dollars to house our unhoused and underhoused neighbors.

Driven by a deep love for Oakland, Kara’s vision is rooted in the belief that every resident deserves access to safe, affordable housing, vibrant community spaces, and opportunities to thrive. Her leadership has been recognized through numerous accolades, including the 2024 East Bay Innovation Award for the Built Environment.