Karina Talamantes, City of Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem & Councilmember of District 3, was elected in December 2022 to represent the communities of Natomas, Northgate, and Gardenland. Prior to being elected, Karina balanced her time as a business owner, Sacramento County Board of Education President, and Chief of Staff for then Councilmember Ashby for five years.

Mayor Pro Tem Talamantes received her Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis. She then worked with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence at the US Department of Education under President Obama. There, Karina worked on policy decisions that aimed to close opportunity gaps among public school students nationwide, helping to create a more level playing field for all students in America.

Karina came home to work in the public sector as a Counselor, helping low-income and first-generation kids get to college before joining the private sector as a Fortune 500 recruiter in accounting and finance.

Karina’s remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. Her compassion and dedication to public service has earned her a place among the Business Journal’s “40 under 40.” In 2018, she was recognized as the Rising Star of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Consul General of Mexico. The Sacramento County Young Democrats and Feminist Democrats recognized the work Karina did during the COVID-19 pandemic for helping frontline essential workers.

Karina is deeply involved in her community and participates in several organizations, including the UC Davis Chicano-Latino Alumni Association, UC Davis Government and Public Policy Alumni Group, SheShares Program, and the Sacramento Digital Equity Coalition.

Karina also serves on several boards and commissions, including the City of Sacramento Budget and Audit Committee, Downtown Sac. Revitalization Corporation, Lower American River Conservancy Comm, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), Sacramento Public Library Authority (Chair), Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA), Stadium Area Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District Public Financing Authority, and Sacramento Air Quality District.

In her limited free time, Karina enjoys spending time with her family, playing soccer, working out, and being a proud Tia of Marc, Elina, Lucas, Michael, Andres, and Alyson. She lives in South Natomas with her fiancé, Fabrizio.