Kate Folmar, Deputy Secretary for Communications and External Affairs
Kate Folmar serves as Deputy Secretary for Communications and External Affairs at the California Environmental Protection Agency, overseeing the Agency’s communications, media relations, and external affairs.
Folmar brings more than three decades of experience in journalism, strategic communications, and public affairs across California government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Before joining CalEPA in April 2026, she served as Chief of Strategic Communications at the California High-Speed Rail Authority. She previously founded and led Kate Folmar Communications and served as Deputy Secretary for Communications and External Affairs at the California Health and Human Services Agency.
Earlier in her career, Folmar held communications leadership roles with Everytown for Gun Safety and the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center and served elected leaders including former U.S. Sen Barbara Boxer. Folmar began her career in journalism, working as a reporter and editor at the Los Angeles Times and San Jose Mercury News.
Folmar is a board member of Opening Doors. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University.