Event Speakers

Kimberly Brown

International Speaker, Leadership Expert & Bestselling Author

Kimberly Brown is an international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and career and leadership expert. Her leadership development company, Brown Leadership, provides organizations with tailor-made solutions to engage, develop, and advance their workforce. Kimberly's bestselling book Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love was released in June 2021. She is also the host of the Your Next Move Podcast. As a career and leadership expert, she empowers professionals to navigate the world of work, make more money, and position themselves as industry leaders.

Jane Barry-Moran

Managing Director Programs & Research, Out Leadership

Jane Barry-Moran joined Out Leadership in 2020 where she works to ensure the engagement of member firms in the development and facilitation of programs, research, and connections to external partners. Most recently, she was the associate director at the Institute for Social Action at St. John’s University where she developed and led programming leadership development for students and employees.

Lasha Boyden

U.S. Marshal, U.S. Marshals Service

Lasha R. Boyden is the Acting U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of California. She was designated by U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr on February 3, 2020, and re-designated by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on March 3, 2022. U.S. Marshal Boyden is the first African American to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of California.

Preet Didbal

Former Mayor of Yuba City

Preet Didbal made international history by being elected Mayor of Yuba City on December 5, 2017, making her the first Sikh American woman to hold the highest elected position in an American city. In 2014, Didbal was the first Sikh woman elected to city council in Yuba City. She served as a Planning Commissioner for Sutter County and Yuba City for 10 years prior to being elected.

Marcie Frost

Chief Executive Officer, CalPERS

Marcie Frost joined CalPERS as chief executive officer in October 2016. She is the ninth CEO and second woman to head America's largest pension fund. As CEO, Frost oversees an annual budget of $1.8 billion, an experienced team of 2,800 professionals, and three lines of business for the fund: pensions, health benefits, and investments.

Cassandra Lichnock

Chief Executive Officer, CalSTRS

Cassandra Lichnock became CalSTRS first female chief executive officer in July 2021. As CEO, Lichnock builds and executes strategy, delivers on operational excellence, and maintains a strong relationship with the Teachers’ Retirement Board. Lichnock served as chief operating officer from March 2013 until her 2021 appointment as CEO.

Kim Malm

Deputy Executive Officer, CalPERS

Kim Malm was named deputy executive officer for the Customer Services & Support Branch in June 2023. She provides executive leadership and counsel to the board and executive team and oversees six divisions within Customer Services & Support. Malm brings to her position more than 35 years of experience in state government with 25 of those years at CalPERS.

Amanda Ray

Retired Commissioner, California Highway Patrol

In 2020, Governor Newsom appointed Amanda Ray as the 16^th commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the first woman to lead the Department. Prior to her appointment, she served as the deputy commissioner and was the first African American female in the CHP’s 93-year history to hold the position for the nation’s largest state police agency. She retired from the CHP in 2022 and is looking forward to traveling and spending time with her family.

Grace Reyes

Chief Executive Officer, The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE)

Grace Reyes is the CEO and founder of The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE), a platform that connects and engages movers and shakers to promote diversity and inclusion in the investment industry. With over 15 years of experience in the field, she is one of the most prominent voices in finance when it comes to advancing gender balance and representation. Reyes carries this message to a global network and is an internationally recognized speaker. Through her work, Reyes aims to create a more equitable and inclusive investment environment for all.

Hitesh Shah

Director of Business Development, BDO

Hitesh Shah has more than 30 years of in-depth experience in people management, finance, venture capital, business development, product management, business planning and customer service. Shah has raised over $100M in venture capital for four different startups. Prior to joining BDO, Shah has served in multiple executive roles as CFO, COO, and CEO.

Theresa Taylor

Board President, CalPERS

Theresa Taylor is serving her second term on the CalPERS Board of Administration and her first one-year term as president of the board. A principal compliance representative at the Franchise Tax Board in Sacramento, she has worked for the state for 26 years and brings a wealth of financial experience to her role.

Molly Tschang

Founder & CEO, Abella Consulting / Say It Skillfully Inc.

Molly Tschang guides senior management to commit to each other’s success, develop powerful chemistry to lead together, and maximize the value created. She is a TEDx speaker, a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches organization, a member of several boards for privately held companies, and an advocate of social enterprise.

Michelle Tucker

Human Resources Division Chief, CalPERS

Michelle Tucker joined CalPERS in March 2020, as our human resources director. She leads her human resources team in engaging the enterprise on culture, talent management, acquisition, and engagement. Before joining CalPERS, Tucker spent the past 20 years at the California Department of Transportation, most recently as chief of the human resources division.

Rachel Zillner

Co-Founder, Clutch

In 2019, Rachel Zillner co-founded Clutch, a consulting and management services firm supporting public entities, private businesses, and non-profit organizations as they strive to meet and achieve their goals. She now serves as the company’s CEO, leading the strategic direction for the nearly 200-employee organization.