Staff

Cara Houser, CEO

Cara Houser is a seasoned real estate and community development executive with over 20 years of experience advancing complex development projects, strategic partnerships, and urban vitality in Berkeley and across the Bay Area. She has led projects from acquisition through entitlement, design, construction, and operations, having helped create 3,000 homes and more than $1.5 billion in value while building trusted relationships with civic leaders, businesses, investors, and community partners. Throughout her career, she has combined broad vision, strong execution, and a collaborative leadership style to create partnerships that strengthen communities and deliver meaningful, lasting impact.

Recognized as an award-winning author, speaker, and facilitator, Cara cultivates engagement, excellence, and thriving teams and organizations. A UC Berkeley alum and longtime East Bay resident, Cara brings deep local roots, strong stakeholder engagement expertise, and a commitment to vibrant, innovative, and welcoming places that support and inspire the communities they serve.

Matthew Jervis, LPM, Director of Downtown Vitality

Matthew Jervis is a creative strategist, designer, author, and certified Leader in Place Management who has built a career around the power of identity, storytelling, and human connection.

As Director of Vitality Matthew brings a creative approach to place management, leading marketing, placemaking, public space activation, events, and community partnerships. His work focuses on creating experiences that strengthen local identity, support independent businesses.
Matthew worked across design, branding, creative strategy, and education for over 20 years. He later brought that experience into the classroom as an instructor at the Academy of Art University, teaching strategy, creative branding. In 2019, he was selected as an Emerging Leader Fellow by the International Downtown Association.

Matthew is also the author of How to Entertain, Distract, and Unplug Your Kids, reflecting a lifelong interest in creativity, participation, and finding unexpected ways to engage people.  Matthew is a longtime Bay Area resident with over 20 years in Berkeley.

Javier Suazo, Operations Manager

Born in Honduras and raised on the East Coast, Javier moved to California after graduating from Pace University in New York City with a degree in Political Science. Since his move to San Francisco in 2000, Javier has worn many hats professionally, and worked closely within the public sector.

Javier’s experience includes serving as a Child Support Officer in San Francisco; bartending; recruiting for AfterCollege, Inc.; supervising local operations for the 2020 US Census; Shift Supervisor with StreetPlus at Downtown SF Partnership supporting the Operations Manager and serving as Public Spaces Manager for Downtown SF Partnership, overseeing the day-to-day logistical operations. Javier was part of the original startup crew at Downtown SF Partnership.

Over the years, Javier has volunteered numerous hours to several organizations and charities. He enjoys learning the history of his surroundings and appreciates the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

As the Operations Manager assigned to the Downtown Berkeley Association account, Javier will be responsible for all aspects of the program, ensuring Streetplus employees are exceeding customer expectations and the downtown is clean, safe, and friendly for those that live, work and visit downtown Berkeley.