Meet The Dublin Candidate: Kashef Qaadri

DUBLIN, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates running for mayor and city council in Dublin, and reprinted their answers to our questionnaire verbatim.

In Dublin, three candidates are running for mayor, including incumbent Sherry Hu. Four candidates are running for Council District 2, in the northeastern part of the city; and two candidates are running for District 4 in the southeast, including incumbent Kashef Qaadri.

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Dublin switched to district-based elections in 2024, and this is the first year that Districts 2 and 4 are electing their own candidates.

Below, read the responses of Kashef Qaadri, an incumbent councilmember and biotech executive running to represent District 2.

What is your educational background?

Initially studying biology, I developed a foundation in analytical thinking and evidence based problem solving. After that, I completed a degree in healthcare administration, which taught me how systems and policy affect real people's lives. I recently earned my MBA, which has added a deeper understanding & appreciation of budgets, finance, and long term strategic planning. Together, this path shapes how I approach every decision on the council.

What is your professional background?

I'm an executive working in cloud & data strategy at a life sciences company, where I guide/enable/lead teams to solve complex problems and make decisions grounded in evidence. Over my 25+ year career, I've served in various roles including strategy, commercial operations, and business development, which have enabled me to better examine areas of need, identify solutions, build partnerships, manage budgets, and get results. This experience drives how I serve on the council.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

I have not held elected public office. However, I have served Dublin in appointed civic leadership roles. I am currently the secretary on the Dublin Unified School District's Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, and a treasurer for the Shamrock Hills School Parent Faculty Club, and have served in several temporary committees for our city and school district. These roles give me direct experience advocating for residents and serving public interests.

What are the top three issues facing Dublin right now?

While Dublin's prosperity continues to grow, there are factors that we must address. First, thoughtful growth - making sure that new development fits our community's character and needs. Second, traffic and infrastructure, because our roads and transit need to keep pace with how quickly Dublin is expanding. Third, public safety & community well being, ensuring our police, fire, and emergency services have the resources they need while we continue to invest on the human side of safety; i.e. cultural understanding and connection between neighbors. Dublin's strength has always been and will be its people, and my priorities reflect what residents tell me matters most to them.

What is one specific action you would prioritize during your first year in office?

In my first year, I would prioritize traffic and infrastructure improvements that residents have highlighted numerous times, especially around congestion points tied to our growing population. I would also continue expanding the public safety fair I helped create, borrowing an idea I admired from Fremont, where the city brings multiple agencies and community partners together under one roof so residents build real relationships with the people who serve them, not just a pamphlet. This year, I'm excited to share that we will be highlighting community health services, connecting residents directly with the resources available to them and the neighbors who provide them. Growth only works when infrastructure and safety keep up, and building those relationships early is where I intend to focus.

Dublin continues to add housing and consider new developments. How should the city determine where additional growth belongs, and how should it ensure that transportation, schools and other infrastructure keep pace?

Dublin's growth should be guided by a clear, honest look at what our infrastructure can actually support, not just where land is available. I believe we need to prioritize transit oriented development, building near our existing transit corridors so that new growth reduces pressure on our roads instead of adding to it. We also have enough at-market rate housing units already. What Dublin needs now is more diversity in our housing availability options at multiple price points so teachers, seniors, young families, and first responders can all find a place here. Housing should not just be limited to those who can afford top of market rents. Transportation and public services need to be part of the planning conversation from day one, not addressed after approvals are already made. We also need to keep listening to residents in the neighborhoods where growth is being considered, because they see traffic patterns and capacity issues long before a spreadsheet does. Dublin has earned recognition as one of the best places to live in California, and I want that to stay true as we grow. This means pairing every new development with a real infrastructure plan, not a promise for later.

What is your vision for Downtown Dublin, and what concrete action would you take to create a more distinctive, walkable and economically successful city center?

My vision for Downtown Dublin is a place where our local businesses and restaurants can grow and thrive, especially the small business owners who have a dream to build something right here in Dublin. I want Downtown to reflect who we are - a diverse, welcoming, and full of energy location, rightsized for our community. I also want to see more people walking and biking through our city center. As someone who bikes regularly, I have made lasting friendships that way, and I want more Dubliners to have that same experience of connecting with their neighbors outdoors. Concretely, I would push for safer, more connected bike and pedestrian pathways into and through Downtown, along with support for outdoor seating and events that regularly bring people into the area rather than just on occasion. A successful city center is not just about what gets built, it is about giving people a reason to come back.

How do we best ensure Dublin remains a safe community?

As Dublin received the number one ranking for Best Places to Live in California for 2026 to 27 by U.S. News and World Report, it gave me time to reflect on this question, and it comes down to two foundations. First, the tireless work of our first responders, including our Community Emergency Response Teams, our Police Department under Chief Victor Fox, and our Fire Department under Chief William L. McDonald. We have a duty to support the hard work they do every single day. Second, Dublin's hidden strength is our empathy, our ability to understand one another across cultural differences and backgrounds. We must continue supporting cultural celebrations and community events that bring Dubliners together, setting aside differences to simply enjoy each other's company. Finally, I believe safety also means access. I want to push for stronger civic engagement, making it easier for residents to reach their councilmembers and find information on our city website. The easier it is to reach the government, the easier it is for the government to actually help people.

Why do you feel you're a better candidate than your opponents?

Serving Dublin has been an honor and I believe leadership means showing up for people, not just talking about policy from a distance. I have spent my term constantly being available and visible, because connection matters. I regularly attend farmers markets, cultural celebrations, and community events because I want every voice in Dublin to be heard, not just the loudest ones. Consistency matters to me and what sets me apart is the combination of real experience and genuine listening. I do not just want to represent Dublin, I want to keep learning from the people who live here. My slogan, "Let's Go Further Together," reflects that belief. We are stronger when we move forward as one community, and I intend to keep working for every resident, every day.