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.

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.

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 with 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; and serving as Shift Supervisor and then Public Spaces Manager for Downtown SF Partnership, overseeing day-to-day logistical operations. Javier was part of the original startup crew at Downtown SF Partnership.

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

Jenn Touli Voss

Events & Community Engagement Manager

Jenn Touli Voss has deep experience as an event producer, designer, and community engagement manager. She brings communities together through design, communication, events, and festivals and promotes Downtown Berkeley through marketing, production, project management, branding, social media, design, events, and community outreach. Her work highlights and promotes businesses, initiatives, and the vibrant public realm that make Downtown Berkeley a dynamic, world class hub of arts, education, and dining.