Appointed Rent Board

Undesignated Representative

Kara Brodfuehrer is a long-term Oakland resident where she lives with her daughter and their dog and cat. She is currently a senior counsel with the State of California’s Civil Rights Department, where she focuses on educating Californians about their rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and other civil rights laws. She was previously a staff attorney with the National Housing Law Project, where she engaged in state and federal policy advocacy to improve tenants’ rights and increase the availability of affordable housing. Kara was also a Senior Attorney at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley’s Mental Health Advocacy, where she represented low‐income tenants with disabilities in unlawful detainers and civil rights impact litigation, including Huynh v. Harasz, a class action on behalf of section 8 voucher holders. Kara started her legal career at California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., focusing on improving public infrastructure, fair housing, and promoting environmental justice in disadvantaged unincorporated communities. She has a B.S. in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany and a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Landlord Representative (Alternate)

Ms. DéSeana Williams is a dedicated servant leader who has spent over 25 years working and advocating for those most in need. Currently, Ms. Williams is the Executive Director of the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board and is passionate about ensuring access to affordable housing for all citizens. Born and raised in New York, Ms. Williams has spent the last 15 years living in Detroit, Michigan, before relocating to Oakland, California. Ms. Williams’s commitment to community and service has also extended to serving on the board of numerous non-profit organizations that address critical social issues like homelessness, mental health, substance use disorders, aging services, and inequality. She has provided valuable insight and guidance to these organizations, ensuring their efforts are sustainable and effective. With DéSeana’s help, these organizations have continued providing much-needed services and positive impacts to the communities they serve. These efforts continue today through her leadership of the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board as a strong voice for tenant protections and rent stabilization. She is the proud mother of a daughter attending Wayne State University in Detroit. DéSeana enjoys playing tennis and spending time as a new puppy parent. She holds a degree in Public Administration, a two-time Hall of Fame athlete and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

John deBoer is a tailor and artist who has been an Oakland resident since 2014. Born in Middletown, Connecticut, he graduated from Bard College and has lived in New York City, Chicago, rural Indiana, and Tokyo before coming to Oakland, and has always been a tenant. For several years he has been active in the Oakland Tenants Union, where he served as chair of the Education and Counselling Committee, helping tenants understand their rights and helping them find resources to advocate for themselves.

Tenant Representative (Alternate)