Mission Statement

CRED is a nonprofit public benefit corporation to ensure the responsible and equitable implementation of the Extension of Housing Crisis Act (California Senate Bill 330), the Ministerial Duplex and Lot Split Approval Act (California Senate Bill 9), and the Streamline Up-Zoning Act (California Senate Bill 10) as well as other similar laws and future relevant legislation affecting the local community of Saratoga.

Citizens for Responsible & Equitable Development (CRED) provides a forum to give regional expression to a series of local efforts while financially supporting and preserving the integrity of those same local efforts. The corporation is established to provide a network for building a city-wide effort to minimize opportunistic development under the Builder’s Remedy. It operates through consensus-based collaboration, coordination of research and monitoring, and enhancing mutual education among the stakeholders in the city of Saratoga’s residential areas.

• Michael J Burry, MD - Michael works in asset management. A 21-year Saratoga resident and UCLA alumni, he grew up locally and raised his family here. With past investments in almond farms, he is very aware of California’s water management troubles. The fast-moving Paradise fire sparked an interest in overdevelopment in fire-prone areas such as the foothills of Saratoga. Recent fires in LA highlighted the tragic results of high fire risk in the setting of poor water management. As President and Chair of CRED, Michael is working to prevent or minimize irresponsible development that endangers lives and/or infringes on the rights of residents.
• Mona Kaur-Freedland - Mona is a resident of the Saratoga hillsides. A former Head of HR at a technology startup, she now dedicates her efforts to addressing rampant development, state overreach, and Builder’s Remedy, advocating for local communities. Public safety is of paramount importance to Mona, especially in light of the ongoing wildfire challenges in Los Angeles, which highlight the relevance of these concerns for Saratoga today. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys painting, reading philosophy and non-fiction.
• Sophia Kao - Sophia Kao is a long-time Saratoga resident with over two decades of community service, serving as a Saratoga Union School District Board Trustee and President of the SWSCV League of Women Voters. With an engineering background and passion for education, she has founded EdTech startups and is a tech enthusiast in AI, advanced semiconductors, and technology for social good. A true believer in citizen empowerment and engagement, Sophia works to promote responsible development and good governance in Saratoga. Through her work with CRED, she aims to address community issues while preserving the area's unique character and bringing residents together.
• Xavier Casanova - Xavier first fell in love with the rolling hills and tranquil landscapes of Saratoga as a young Stanford graduate student, sparking a lifelong appreciation for the area's natural beauty. With over 25 years of experience as a founder and CEO in Silicon Valley, he now applies his leadership and problem-solving skills to advocate for Saratoga's future. A long-time Bay Area resident, Xavier is dedicated to preserving the community’s unique character. Through his work with CRED, he advocates for sustainable policies that protect Saratoga’s charm, wildlife, and safety. Xavier is the Secretary for CRED.
• Mohini Balakrishnan - Mohini and her husband have been longtime residents of Santa Clara Valley and have called Saratoga home since 1988. With 35 years of experience as a real estate agent, Mohini has proudly served Saratoga and its neighboring communities. She is deeply passionate about preserving Saratoga’s semi-rural character for future generations and is dedicated to ensuring the safety of residents by addressing environmental threats, including wildfires. Mohini believes her role as a board member at CRED will empower her to advocate for responsible and equitable development, countering unregulated growth. In her free time, Mohini enjoys traveling, music, history and reading.  Above all, she cherishes spending time with her neighbors, friends, and family.
• Mahal Mohan - Mahal is a former technology executive, and a resident of Saratoga for many decades. Mahal joined the CRED board in April 2025.