Councilmember Latika Malkani was sworn in as Orinda’s new mayor on Dec. 17, 2024 and is excited to serve the community in this first-ever role for her. In keeping with Orinda’s tradition, Brandyn Iverson will serve as Orinda’s vice mayor.
Latika Malkani is beyond thrilled to become mayor of a community she’s lived in since 2004.
“I could not be more honored and excited to serve,” she said, as she officially became mayor on Dec. 17, 2024. “Leadership as mayor, and in many other contexts, is truly a privilege and tremendous responsibility. I aim to serve Orinda with passion, tenacity, compassion and grace.”
Malkani, an attorney for 28 years, made partner at Siegel LeWitter Malkani in Oakland in 2012, and represents employees and labor unions.
She said her new role as mayor will be a collective one, in that it embodies policy decisions of the entire council cabinet, not a solo role of influence.
“I have no greater authority to enact policy than any one of my fellow councilmembers,” she said. “Policy-making in Orinda is done by the council acting as a whole, by majority vote.”
With that in mind, the ongoing challenge of addressing Orinda’s insurance crisis is first and foremost on her mind – referring specifically to what she’s hearing most from residents.
“First, we need to continue to advocate – as Mayor Gee initiated and fought for this past year, with the full council’s support – for statewide changes that would help bring admitted insurance carriers back to Orinda,” said Malkani. “And that would curb the non-renewals that are
increasing daily.”
Secondly, Malkani would like to address climate change, which she said, is also related to the insurance crisis.
She said many residents would like to see Orinda adopt a Climate Action Plan paired with climate-friendly policies, including some policies and strategies that many of Orinda’s neighboring cities have adopted.
“One of the single biggest things a local jurisdiction can do to address climate change is to offer its residents the choice of a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) energy provider,” she said. “And I, for one, think it’s time for us to revisit that issue and offer Orinda that choice.”
CCA is a program in California that allows cities and counties to purchase or generate electricity for residents and businesses.
“Thirdly, I’d like to see Orinda continue to foster a culture of belonging, inclusivity and overall kindness, so that all families and all children feel supported and happy in Orinda,” she said of an issue close to her heart. “Many of us love the small town, friendly and kind interactions that the Orinda community brings, and preserving that by welcoming all is important to me.”
Born in Bombay (now called Mumbai), India, Malkani’s parents were living in California near the end of her mom’s pregnancy – however, her mom had to move back home to India to her parents’ home for the delivery.
“My mom did this for two reasons,” said Malkani. “First, she had a physically difficult pregnancy and went back home to be cared for by her parents, and second, her only sibling, a younger sister, got married a couple months before I was born.
“So while my parents were already living in Los Angeles, I was born in Bombay and brought to the U.S. at the age of six months.”
A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, Malkani served on and chaired the Labor and Employment Section of the California Lawyers Association. And, as a supporter of the reproductive and economic rights of all women, she is proud to have served six years on the Board of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte.
In addition to her time as councilmember and now as mayor of Orinda, Malkani was thrice elected to represent California State Assembly District 16 as a delegate to the California Democratic Party.
Malkani talked about what she wanted to be when she was younger.
“An astronomer, a state senator and a lawyer – in that order,” she said. “I don’t see a future profession in star-gazing, but I feel blessed that between my day job and serving Orinda, I really am fulfilling my other dreams.”
Married to Ray Cardozo for 28 years, she said she’s been blessed to raise their three kids together in Orinda, Sadhana (24), Keshini (22) and Leo (20).
“We moved here as we had two very little girls and were expecting our third child,” said Malkani. “Like many families with young children, we moved to Orinda in part, for its reputable schools and rumors of a close-knit community. Those three kids benefitted from a stellar education at Del Rey, Orinda Intermediate School and Miramonte, which set them up well for college.”
Her goal is to continue to keep Orinda a close-knit community by using her problem-solving skills she’s gained over the years.
“After years of battling (litigating) in my day job, I love the opportunity to solve problems and make improvements,” she said. “I genuinely appreciate public comment – and do read everything sent to us – because the diversity of opinions and feedback on an issue provides the perspective that is critical to good decision-making.”
Outside her two main jobs, Malkani said her personal life is filled with activities.
“Hiking, both locally and in the Bay Area, gardening, cooking, entertaining, volunteering with legal service organizations or professional bar associations,” she said. “I love listening to live music and seeing live comedy – both fill my soul.”
As a councilmember, she spent roughly 10-15 hours a week on Orinda business, but believes that will change to 20-30 hours as mayor.
“It’s a lot of volunteer time, but we signed up for this and I do really enjoy it,” she said.
Malkani anticipates challenges for Orinda in 2025, but maintains a positive perspective.
“I am choosing to see these challenges as opportunities for growth, improvement and increasing happiness and improving the lifestyle within our community,” she said. “It will take a lot of hard work from my colleagues and me this coming year to address these opportunities in a meaningful way that improves our lives here in Orinda.”
She also comes from a place of gratitude.
“I really am grateful for the opportunity to serve Orinda. If anyone has ideas, wants to confer, I’m quite willing to do so and encourage residents to reach out,” said Malkani. “And thanks to The Orinda News for keeping local journalism alive and well in Orinda!”
