More in Charting Progress on Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Journey

Influence and Engagement

CalPERS is a leader in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) space, and its influence and engagement is experienced within our organization and beyond.

Key Highlights

CalPERS DEI Influence and Engagement

  • Out Leadership
    • CalPERS became the first public pension system to join Out Leadership, an organization that helps companies integrate LGBTQ+ equality into their business practices.
  • CalPERS Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer Marlene Timberlake D'Adamo served as (and continues to serve as) Chair of the DEI Steering Committee for the CFA Institute.
  • CalPERS Diversity Outreach Program (CDOP) and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) provided consultation for several agencies to share best practices for creating DEI programs or ERGs.
    • CDOP met with Department of Cannabis Control, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Department of Transportation, and the California Department of Water Resources.
  • The CalPERS Health Program team participated in the state-sponsored Transgender, Gender Diverse, or Intersex Working Group.
    • The Transgender, Gender Diverse, or Intersex (TGI) Working Group, sponsored by the California Department of Managed Health Care (DHMC), purposes "to develop a quality standard for patient experience to measure cultural competency related to the TGI community and recommend a trans-inclusive training curriculum to be used by health care plan staff who are in direct contact with enrollees in the delivery of health care services."
    • The team provided recommendations to the working group and Director of DMHC on quality and equity standards and culturally competent care training for California's managed care health plans.
  • The CalPERS Health Program team regularly engaged with the Joint Purchasers Clinical Forum workgroup.
    • The workgroup is comprised of large healthcare purchasers, including Covered California, Department of Health Care Services, DMHC, and health plan providers, whose work has the potential to impact all Californians.
    • The workgroup aims to:
      • Identify areas of alignment and establish standards for assessing equity and quality in healthcare delivery.
      • Increase access, address inequalities, and improve quality of health care at an affordable cost.
      • Explore ways to hold our health plans accountable for eliminating disparities.
  • The CalPERS Health Program team participated in the state-sponsored Health Equity and Quality Committee.
    • The Health Equity and Quality Committee, sponsored by the DMHC, purposes to "make recommendations to the DMHC Director for standard health equity and quality measures, including annual benchmark standards for assessing equity and quality in health care delivery."
    • As part of the committee, contributed to recommendations about the quality and equity standards of California's managed care plans provided to the director of the DHMC.
    • Contributed to the recommendations made to the committee in their 2022 Report. The DMHC considered committee recommendations and established health plan data collection, reporting standards, and health equity and quality benchmarks.
  • The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach Program team attended the Disability Virtual Career Fair in August 2022, to share information about CalPERS, job opportunities, the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP), Training and Development appointments, and the state hiring process.
  • In August 2022, CalPERS hosted its second Pathways for Women conference. Led by CEO Marcie Frost and other industry leaders from business, healthcare, and government, the event provides inspiration for women's career advancement. CEO Marcie Frost, former CIO Nicole Musicco, and Board President Theresa Taylor were featured as panel participants.
    • There were 387 attendees, and 99% of post-event survey respondents rated the experience as good or excellent.
    • 97% of post-event survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the sessions were helpful for their career growth.
  • CalPERS Chief DEI Officer Marlene Timberlake D'Adamo spoke on a panel titled "Now That You Have Diverse Team Members, What Are You Going to Do to Help Them?" at the Institutional Investor's Inaugural DEI Roundtable, October 2022.
  • Representatives from the CalPERS Legal Office and Career Services & Outreach Program attended the UC Davis School of Law Public Interest and Government Career Fair in November 2022. They shared information about CalPERS, job opportunities, LEAP program, Training and Development appointments, and the state hiring process.
  • The Milken Institute published a guide titled "The Path to Inclusive Capitalism: An Asset Owner Guide for Investment Portfolios," dated December 2022 in which CalPERS was included.
    • A notable highlight in the report states that the CalPERS "board proactively increased its gender diversity, transitioning from one to four female members out of 13 members during the fiscal year 2014-2015" (p. 6).
  • Chief Investment Officer featured an article titled "How Allocators Can Boost Their Woeful Diversity," about the Milken Institute guide, including a nod to CalPERS' board diversity.
  • A CalPERS Career Services & Outreach Program representative attended the Blue Shield of California Talent Connect Job Fair in January 2023. They shared information about CalPERS, job opportunities, LEAP program, Training and Development appointments, and the state hiring process.
  • CDOP participated in monthly Statewide Disability Advisory Council (SDAC) meetings.
  • The CalPERS Disability Advisory Committee (CDAC) chair participated in the Association of California State Employees with Disabilities Panel Discussions on DAC at the January 2023 Statewide Disability Advisory Council Meeting.
  • A January 2023 Forbes article, "Pillar One of the Path to Inclusive Capitalism: Incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into Governance," as part of a series on building diverse and inclusive Investment portfolios, included CalPERS.
  • CalPERS Career Services & Outreach Program representatives attended the CA State Job Virtual Workshop & Networking event in February 2023. They shared information about CalPERS, job opportunities, LEAP program, Training and Development appointments, and the state hiring process.
  • CalPERS Chief DEI Officer Marlene Timberlake D'Adamo spoke at the Institutional Investor Public Funds Roundtable in April 2023.
  • CalPERS Chief DEI Officer Marlene Timberlake D'Adamo was featured in an April 2023 Investment News article.
  • The CalPERS SB/DVBE advocate attended the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Annual Business Policy Summit at the Sacramento Grand Sheraton Hotel on April 19, 2023.
  • The CalPERS SB/DVBE advocate attended the Latinas in Tech event, How to Overcome the Challenges of Transitioning into an IT Career, hosted by CalPERS Information Technology Services Branch (ITSB) in Sacramento on April 26, 2023.
  • CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost, former CIO Nicole Musicco, and Board President Theresa Taylor were featured in an article in Top 1000 Funds titled "CalPERS' Leadership Trio on Culture, Mission, and Responsibility," May 2023.
  • CalPERS Investment Officer Mike Silva served as a panelist at the GCM Grosvenor Small and Emerging Manager Forum in May 2023.
  • Board Member Jose Luis Pacheco was the keynote speaker at the NAA Venture Capital and Private Equity Symposium in May 2023.
  • CalPERS Human Resources Division representatives attended a Work4CA event in May 2023. They shared information about CalPERS, job opportunities, LEAP program, Training and Development appointments, and the state hiring process.

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