About Katherine Padilla & Associates (KPA)

KPA is a full-service communication firm founded in 1994. Our services include community outreach and public information campaigns, community meetings and workshops via live stream and in-person, community-based research including focus groups and interviews, branding and graphic design, media relations, social media management, photography and videography, and much more.

We are headquartered in San Diego, with offices in Los Angeles.

KPA is a certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firm. Our team includes members fluent in Spanish and Korean.

Contact us today to learn how we can increase the effectiveness of your outreach for stronger outcomes.

Katherine Padilla Otanez

FOUNDER & Principal

Ms. Padilla Otanez is a communications specialist and strategist with expertise in organizational development/ systems thinking, facilitation and mediation, marketing research and integrated communications strategy, and community and government relations. Other areas of expertise include global logistics, planning, architecture, and engineering.

Prior to forming KPA, Ms. Padilla Otanez managed and delivered drafting services for structural engineering and architecture projects, while obtaining her MBA and Bachelor of Science degrees from Cal State Los Angeles. Other areas of education and expertise include NEPA Policies, Procedures and Practices, UCLA Extension; CEQA Overview and Policies, Association of Environmental Professionals; and Environmental Justice in Land Use Planning, American Planning Association Workshop.

Ms. Padilla Otanez is also a Certified Charrette Planner, Certified Charrette Manager and Certified Public Meeting Facilitator through the National Charrette Institute; trained in mediation through the LA City Attorney’s Office, Dispute Resolution Program;  trained and experienced in Project Management and Interpersonal Communication through UCLA Extension;  completed coursework for Global Logistics Specialist®, Professional Certification Program at Cal State University Long Beach;  and completed training in “The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter,” through Facilitative Techniques, Berkana Institute in Philadelphia.

Jessica Padilla Bowen

senior associate

Ms. Padilla Bowen joined KPA in 2020, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in government and nonprofit communication. She spent nearly 16 years working in communication for the City of Carlsbad serving various departments including Community & Economic Development, Public Works, Library & Cultural Arts, Fire and Human Resources. Project highlights include handling communication for the city’s Village and Barrio Master Plan and Village Parking Study as well as promoting the launch of the library’s Library@Home online services during the pandemic. She also served as a public information officer in the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

Prior to joining the City of Carlsbad, Jessica spent six years in communication for the award-winning theaters La Jolla Playhouse and Geffen Playhouse, handling all aspects of media relations, from photo and video shoots to pitching and coordinating hundreds of television, print and radio interviews.

She is certified in public participation by the International Association for Public Participation, accredited in public relations through the Public Relations Society of America, and has a master’s degree in public administration from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College. She is also a Certified Professional Coach through iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) and an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation. 

Xavier Sibaja

project manager

Xavier Sibaja is a communications and community engagement professional. Before joining KPA, Xavier organized International Blvd. Commercial Corridor merchants, in East Oakland, to lobby the City of Oakland, and AC Transit, for these groups to join the TAC committee on a newly proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). After eight years of stakeholder engagement, the City created a Business Assistance Fund to compensate vehicle-dependent businesses impacted by the BRT, while helping others to adapt to the newly changed urban environment through technical assistance services.

Prior to his service in Oakland, Xavier served as Executive Director for the South Gate, Main Street Business organization Tweedy Mile Association, with a 300-business membership. In his four-year tenure, Xavier designed and executed a commercial corridor revitalization project by establishing a commercial façade municipal ordinance, replacing street landscape, and refurbishing street lighting.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Mexico City, Xavier obtained a Bachelor in Communication Sciences from Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City. Through a scholarship from the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), he earned a Professional Designation Certificate in Public Relations from the University of California Los Angeles-Extension. Xavier is a National Urban Fellow and under this program he obtained a Master in Public Administration from City University of New York- Baruch College.