Chief Human Resources Officer

Michelle Tucker joined CalPERS in March 2020, as our chief human resources officer. She leads her human resources team in engaging the enterprise on culture; talent management, acquisition, and engagement; and learning and development activities. Michelle brings leadership, experience, and a passion for public service to her role.

Before joining CalPERS, Michelle spent 20 years at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), most recently as chief of the human resources division responsible for a team of 275 employees. Prior to that, she held various leadership roles at Caltrans, including acting chief deputy for Bay Area operations and their first chief of enterprise risk management. She participated in several national research projects with the National Academy of Science’s Transportation Research Board on topics of enterprise risk management, knowledge transfer, and succession and workforce planning. Michelle led the talent elements of Caltrans’ Governmental Alliance on Race and Equity Program and brings a passion for equity and inclusion to her current role.

Michelle is a familiar face to those involved in our annual Educational Forum. In 2019, she was the recipient of the CalPERS Spotlight on Excellent Award, recognized for her many accomplishments, as well as the respect shown to her team, and her open-door policy.

Michelle studied English at the University of California, Davis, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in public administration – public sector management at California State University, Northridge. She’s an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in Oregon, and lives in Sacramento with her wife, where she is active in the LGBTQ+ community.