Former Santa Clara County nonprofit leader accused of bullying staff
March 19, 2021
Katherine Harasz, right, posing with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, left, and landlord Jackalyn Ye, at SCCHA s 2020 Landlord Appreciation Event. Photo courtesy of Santa Clara County Housing Authority/Orly Greenwood.
Katherine Harasz won praise from Silicon Valley’s biggest politicos for her work, but some current and former employees characterize her as a leader who created a hostile environment during her time as executive director of the Santa Clara County Housing Authority.
Some of the complaints about Harasz’s leadership are outlined in a 140-page document filed in October by labor union SEIU Local 521, which represents many of the housing authority’s workers. The complaint obtained by San José Spotlight was filed to the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).