CalSTRS’ chief operating investment officer Debra Smith to retire this week

Debra Smith, chief operating investment officer (COIO) of the $226 billion California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), will retire after 24 years at the pension fund, effective May 7.

CalSTRS is conducting a competitive search for her successor and is expected to make an announcement soon.

Smith began her tenure with CalSTRS in 1996 and two years later transitioned to the investments branch as an associate investment officer. She held progressively higher leadership positions throughout her career.

In 2010, Smith was promoted to the investment operations director, where she served for five years before she was appointed to her current COIO position in October 2014.

As COIO, Smith reported directly to the chief investment officer and was responsible for CalSTRS’ strategic and business plan goals and objectives, as well as operations, performance, compliance and administration within the investment branch.

“We are so excited for Deb