Experience

To successfully navigate government — team up with an experienced guide.

With extraordinary knowledge and second-to-none political and legislative skills, Ms. Zamarripa is geared to go far beyond the extra mile. An astute political thinker, her close work with advocates across the institutional spectrum advances quality, access, affordability and outcomes through the development of partnerships, coalitions and strategies.

Professional Experience

President

Karen Zamarripa Consulting

2016 to Present

The consulting group offers political and policy strategy including but not limited to public policy, advocacy, state budgeting, issue campaigns, strategic communications and contracting and procurement for a growing number of clients.

The firm has worked numerous K-12 and higher education clients in the last six years including all the postsecondary systems in the state, the California Community Colleges, the California State University and the University of California and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU). Our client list has also included Educational Results Partnership (ERP), the Fortune School of Education, Lenovo, Calbright College, and the California Student Aid Commission.

Most recently the firm worked with the Fix Financial Aid (FFA) coalition as a consultant hired by the student associations of UC, CSU and CCC. Zamarripa helped develop the coalition of over 25 organizations and managed strategic communications and advocacy efforts leading to major reform on the state’s Cal Grant program.

Karen Zamarripa Consulting also played a key role in the budget and legislative efforts to create the first ever statewide online community college, Calbright College dedicated to working adults seeking greater job success, stability, and income.

The firm has also been working with CSU Chico on capital outlay projects and the College Futures Foundation in their work to support access and success for students.

Assistant Vice Chancellor

California State University

1991 to 2015

Led state governmental affairs and alumni and community relations for the 23-campus CSU system.

Developed and implemented strategic and stakeholder engagement plans to advance CSU’s legislative and budget priorities.

Served as lead lobbyist and key advisor to the CSU chancellor, trustees, and senior leaders on policy and fiscal issues.

Supported annual budget negotiations with system and campus-based advocacy.

Directed a nine-member advocacy team and two contract lobbying firms, overseeing hundreds of legislative measures across areas including campus climate and safety, labor and employment, retirement, facilities, procurement, and academic programs.

Karen Zamarripa Consulting Achievements

Fix Financial Aid (FFA) Coalition

Developed and managed a broad coalition to seek reform to the state’s financial aid program, Cal Grant. Known as the Fix Financial Aid (FFA) coalition, the group was key to getting statutory and budgetary changes to the program that simplifies the process for eligible applicants, expands access for more students and for the first time requires the program to cover the total cost of education including housing, transportation, food, and textbooks rather than just tuition and fees.

UC leaders recruitment, selection, and retention

Conducted an in-depth study on how the University of California might bring more diverse leaders to their campuses. The charge was to examine the recruitment and selection process as well as retention of leaders from different backgrounds and experience, cultures, and ethnicities, as well as gender. The report made 17 recommendations which were adopted in total by the Board of Regents.

Calbright College

Worked with former California Community College Chancellor Oakley and Governor Jerry Brown to establish Calbright College, the first statewide college focused on serving working adults who need new training, certificates, and badges to succeed in today’s workplace.

CSU Stanislaus

Ms. Zamarripa was engaged to assist Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Housing Program in reviewing their operations and budgets and developing short- and long-term plans aligned with campus leadership goals. She worked directly with teams in each division to assess expenditures, identify cost patterns, improve the effective use of resources, and explore creative approaches to serving students. Her work enabled the Housing Program to develop a financial plan that brings the unit back into the black for 2025–26, an essential step for long-term sustainability.

Karen Zamarripa Consulting Achievements

Fix Financial Aid (FFA) Coalition

Developed and managed a broad coalition to seek reform to the state’s financial aid program, Cal Grant. Known as the Fix Financial Aid (FFA) coalition, the group was key to getting statutory and budgetary changes to the program that simplifies the process for eligible applicants, expands access for more students and for the first time requires the program to cover the total cost of education including housing, transportation, food, and textbooks rather than just tuition and fees.

UC leaders recruitment, selection, and retention

Conducted an in-depth study on how the University of California might bring more diverse leaders to their campuses. The charge was to examine the recruitment and selection process as well as retention of leaders from different backgrounds and experience, cultures, and ethnicities, as well as gender. The report made 17 recommendations which were adopted in total by the Board of Regents.

Calbright College

Worked with former California Community College Chancellor Oakley and Governor Jerry Brown to establish Calbright College, the first statewide college focused on serving working adults who need new training, certificates, and badges to succeed in today’s workplace.

CSU Stanislaus

Ms. Zamarripa was engaged to assist Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Housing Program in reviewing their operations and budgets and developing short- and long-term plans aligned with campus leadership goals. She worked directly with teams in each division to assess expenditures, identify cost patterns, improve the effective use of resources, and explore creative approaches to serving students. Her work enabled the Housing Program to develop a financial plan that brings the unit back into the black for 2025–26, an essential step for long-term sustainability.

Karen Zamarripa Consulting Achievements

Fix Financial Aid (FFA) Coalition

Developed and managed a broad coalition to seek reform to the state’s financial aid program, Cal Grant. Known as the Fix Financial Aid (FFA) coalition, the group was key to getting statutory and budgetary changes to the program that simplifies the process for eligible applicants, expands access for more students and for the first time requires the program to cover the total cost of education including housing, transportation, food, and textbooks rather than just tuition and fees.

UC leaders recruitment, selection, and retention

Conducted an in-depth study on how the University of California might bring more diverse leaders to their campuses. The charge was to examine the recruitment and selection process as well as retention of leaders from different backgrounds and experience, cultures, and ethnicities, as well as gender. The report made 17 recommendations which were adopted in total by the Board of Regents.

Calbright College

Worked with former California Community College Chancellor Oakley and Governor Jerry Brown to establish Calbright College, the first statewide college focused on serving working adults who need new training, certificates, and badges to succeed in today’s workplace.

CSU Stanislaus

Ms. Zamarripa was engaged to assist Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Housing Program in reviewing their operations and budgets and developing short- and long-term plans aligned with campus leadership goals. She worked directly with teams in each division to assess expenditures, identify cost patterns, improve the effective use of resources, and explore creative approaches to serving students. Her work enabled the Housing Program to develop a financial plan that brings the unit back into the black for 2025–26, an essential step for long-term sustainability.

Transformed CSU’s Advocacy and State Relations (ASR) office to proactive team that provide direct advocacy, strategic communications, system and campus level training programs, and created an online and social media presence.

Coordinated several successful legislative initiatives including: establishing CSU’s first independent doctorate programs, the establishment of two new CSU campuses (Monterey Bay and Channel Islands) as well as the CSU Stanislaus off-campus center in Stockton, and the creation of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) statute for CSU and community college students.

Worked with policy makers and CSU officials to pass legislative and administrative changes that streamlined and reduced costs associated with CSU’s operations.

Initiated and implemented a system-wide effort to develop, train and support campus-based advocacy teams made up of cross campus teams.

Developed a statewide online network to communicate and engage with over 500,000 recipients as part of a grassroots outreach and advocacy program targeting policy makers involved in CSU-related issues.

Served as the coordinator and lead advocate of a coalition that led a successful statewide campaign to achieve over $30 billion in voter approved general obligations bonds for K-12 and higher education.

Represented CSU in annual budget negotiations and advocacy including the development of the first “compact” agreement with the Governor.

Initiated an annual report and related efforts to showcase CSU’s contributions to California’s economy and quality of life, presented as part of a public accountability effort aimed at policy makers, taxpayers, the news media and opinion leaders.

Initiated biannual Campaign Roadshow visiting up to 40 legislative candidates each election cycle educating potential new members on higher education issues and making connections between the university, local campuses and candidates prior to the election.

Selective Public Experience

Secretary of the Board and Former President, Leadership California.

Chair, Board of Directors, Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) — Led a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering parents to help their students succeed from high school through college and career.

Co-Chair, The Power of Us — A premier annual event recognizing women leaders across California. Co-chaired with former Senate Chief Sergeant Debbie Manning on behalf of Leadership California, the event brings together leading women’s organizations including California Women Lead, She Shares, the Women’s Foundation, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the Legislative Women’s Caucus. View photos from this event in our gallery.

Senior Fellow, American Leadership Forum – Mountain Valley Chapter.

Chair and Member, Capitol Network — Organization that brings together women in appointed and elected office, as well as women lobbyists, to build professional networks and advance charitable causes supporting women and families.

Volunteer, Women’s Empowerment — Sacramento-based nonprofit helping homeless women and families achieve employment and long-term stability.

Past Chair and Member, Higher Education Government Relations Task Force — A professional consortium coordinated by the American Association of Community Colleges, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the Council for the Advancement of Secondary Education.

Education

Master of Science Degree

May 2001
California State University, Sacramento
Major: Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)

Bachelor of Science Degree

July 1981
University of Southern California
Major: Public Affairs
Minor: Urban and Regional Planning