Karina Ryan

Karina Ryan joined the MCPD in 2018. She is the caregiver and legal guardian of her adult brother with autism and enthusiastically coordinates his involvement in adult education, independent living services, and Special Olympics bowling and golf activities. Due to the nature of his developmental disability and communication challenges, Karina views advocacy on his behalf for more inclusive communities as one of her responsibilities.

Karina is a cabinet-level executive assistant at the University of California, Berkeley. Her previous professional experience includes major gifts and special events management at the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA), coordinating service planning and advocacy for the HIV community in Staten Island, NY, and managing government and foundation support activities at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Karina is a member of the UC Alumni Chorus, Sister District Project, a representative for the League of Women Voters’ Observer Corps at AC Transit Board of Directors meetings, and a volunteer at the Clausen House for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She holds a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies from Binghamton University, SUNY.