Rebecca Franklin breaks barriers as CalHFA's first female Chief Deputy Director
- Rebecca Franklin, Ed.D., is appointed as the new Chief Deputy Director of CalHFA, the first woman to hold this role.
- She has held various leadership positions in state agencies, including significant contributions to the CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation.
- Franklin's extensive background is expected to benefit California's efforts in addressing housing challenges.
In a significant move for representation in California, Rebecca Franklin, Ed.D., was appointed as the new Chief Deputy Director of the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), making her the first woman to ever hold this position in the agency’s nearly 50-year history. Governor Gavin Newsom announced her appointment on November 22, 2024. Franklin, who has been with CalHFA as the Director of Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance since 2020, brings a wealth of experience from various leadership roles in state agencies and a strong academic background in Educational and Organizational Leadership. Before joining CalHFA, Franklin held multiple roles that highlighted her expertise in risk management and innovation. From 2019 to 2020, she was the Director of Innovation at the California State Compensation Insurance Fund, and prior to that, she worked at the California Public Employees' Retirement System as the Enterprise Risk Manager. Franklin also spent several years at the California State Teachers' Retirement System, taking on diverse roles including Associate Management Consultant and Program Planning Analyst. Her extensive background equips her with a comprehensive understanding of the operational and programmatic needs of CalHFA. During her time at CalHFA, Franklin notably served as President of the CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation. In this capacity, she was instrumental in spearheading the California Mortgage Relief Program, which allocated over $907 million in grants to assist households struggling with housing payments during the pandemic. Her leadership in this initiative demonstrates her commitment to addressing housing affordability challenges faced by California communities. Upon her appointment, Franklin expressed her honor and enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing her dedication to leadership and innovation in enhancing the impact of CalHFA’s programs. The agency, founded in 1975, has been working to help Californians find a place to call home without relying on taxpayer dollars for its operational expenses. Her appointment is seen as a critical step towards promoting inclusion and diversity within the agency and enhancing its ability to respond to the housing crisis in the state.