CalSTRS appoints its first female CEO

Cassandra Lichnock has been appointed as the new CEO of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), making her the pension fund’s first female leader.

Lichnock joined CalSTRS in 2008 as the human resources executive officer and has served as COO since 2013. In addition to a variety of responsibilities, she advises the CalSTRS board and the CEO, ensuring that complex and critical operational issues and policy matters impacting the system are developed and implemented consistent with CalSTRS mission, vision and values.

As CEO, Lichnock will build and execute strategy, modernize CalSTRS systems and processes, build on the fund’s commitments to sustainability and diversity, and forge a strong relationship with the pension fund’s board, among other tasks, according to CalSTRS.

Lichnock’s first day as CEO will be July 1, following the retirement of current CEO Jack Ehnes at the end of June. Her appointment is the culmination of a search start