Transition Message from Carol Galante

A little over six years ago, I joined the faculty of the College of Environmental Design at UC Berkeley and began the early work that would become the Terner Center for Housing Innovation. As I said when we celebrated our anniversary last fall, I am so proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time and so much in awe of what this team has taken on, even through the challenges of the past year.

Our team is beginning a new chapter, and I am writing today to announce changes to my role going forward. Effective July 1st, I will transition from my position as Faculty Director and take on a new role as Founder and Advisor. I will also step down from the I. Donald Terner Distinguished Professorship.

Making these changes is not without mixed emotions for me. It has been one of the great highlights of my career to hold this professorship, which recognizes the legacy of my friend and mentor Don Terner. But it will provide me with the opportunity to shift my focus to our portfolio of innovation work.

Ben Metcalf, who has been the Managing Director since March 2020, will assume full leadership of the Terner Center. Ben has deftly guided our team through this difficult year, and I am looking forward to seeing this team continue to excel under his leadership.

In my new role as Founder and Advisor, I will continue to support key strategic partnerships and engage on a select number of ongoing policy projects. In particular, my policy efforts will focus on ensuring that the significant new federal and state resources are distributed and administered in a manner that prioritizes cost effectiveness, racial equity, and a sustainable built environment. I will play a key role in the expansion of our innovation work as Chair of the Board of the Terner Housing Innovation Labs, a 501c3 non-profit that now houses the Housing Lab. I am also pleased to announce that I will serve as Chair of our newly-established Advisory Board for the Terner Center & Labs.

The Terner team is a remarkable group of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners that together have been and will continue to be a mighty force. I am looking forward to what lies ahead.

With thanks,

Carol Galante