Agenda

Time	Topic
11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.	Registration Open
12:45 to 1:00 p.m.	Opening Remarks The event kicks off with remarks on the value of diversity in investment decisions and how that aligns with CalPERS’ and CalSTRS’ broader missions of ensuring the retirement security of their members. Malia Cohen, California State Controller
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.	Fireside Chat Moderator: Marcie Frost, Chief Executive Officer, CalPERS Jessica Alba, Founder and Board Director, The Honest Company Carla Vernón, Chief Executive Officer and Board Director, The Honest Company
2:00 to 2:30 p.m.	Networking Break
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.	Funding Ventures for Female Partners Learn about unconscious bias in investing and how to adopt a more equitable approach toward evaluating female-led startups. The panel will examine issues raised in Dr. Dana Kanze’s TED Talk, “The real reason female entrepreneurs get less funding", which focuses on research showing how the types of questions asked of female entrepreneurs during pitch meetings contribute to the gender gap in venture capital funding. Systemic issues preventing women from receiving equal investment opportunities will also be explored. Marcie Frost, Chief Executive Officer, CalPERS Cassandra Lichnock, Chief Executive Officer, CalSTRS Jennifer Siebel Newsom, First Partner of California
3:30 to 3:45 p.m.	Networking Break
3:45 to 4:45 p.m.	The Opportunities AI Brings to Diversity AI has the potential to address systemic biases, improve access to capital for underrepresented groups, and promote more inclusive decision-making processes. Conversely, AI algorithms can perpetuate biases, so we must ensure that these tools do not inadvertently reinforce inequalities in financial opportunities. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how AI can drive positive change within the investment sector, while also recognizing the ongoing challenges and the need for responsible AI deployment. Moderator: Regina Curry, Chief Diversity Officer, Franklin Templeton Eyal Darmon, Managing Director, Accenture Dr. Safiya Umoja Noble, David O. Sears Presidential Endowed Chair of Social Sciences, UCLA Shu Dar Yao, Founder and Managing Partner, Lucid Capitalism
4:45 to 6:00 p.m.	Networking Reception - Meet with CalPERS and CalSTRS

Time	Topic
7:30 to 8:15 a.m.	Breakfast
8:00 to 8:15 a.m.	Opening Remarks Cassandra Lichnock, Chief Executive Officer, CalSTRS
8:15 to 9:15 a.m.	Fireside Chat with Our Chief Investment Officers Join our chief investment officers and the moderator for a chat on our shared vision, diversity in the management of investments, leadership, and allyship. Moderator: Grace Reyes, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, TIDE Scott Chan, Chief Investment Officer, CalSTRS Stephen Gilmore, Chief Investment Officer, CalPERS
9:15 to 10:15 a.m.	Emerging and Diverse Manager Success Stories From launching their first fund to scaling operations, these leaders will share how they overcame pivotal challenges, navigated evolving market conditions, and built thriving investment firms. Gain practical insights into their evolution and strategies for long-term success. Moderator: Tina Byles Williams, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Xponance Robert Thiergartner, Chief Investment Officer and Principal, Birtcher Anderson & Davis Sengal Selassie, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Brightwood Capital Advisors LLC Tony Miller, Managing Partner, Excolere Jo Natauri, Founder and Managing Partner, Invidia Timothy Greenfield, Founder and Managing Partner, Demopolis Equity Partners
10:15 to 10:25 a.m.	Networking Break
10:25 to 11:15 a.m.	Effective Human Capital Management Explore how corporate boards and investment industry leaders can effectively manage human capital to drive business success, enhance performance, and foster diversity and innovation. Moderator: Aeisha Mastagni, Senior Portfolio Manager, Sustainable Investments and Stewardship Strategies, CalSTRS Steven Aldrich, Board Partner, First Round Tara Giunta, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Invest Ahead Tamara Sells, Associate Investment Manager, Sustainable Investments, CalPERS
11:15 to 11:30 a.m.	Networking Lunch Break
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Lunch – Keynote Speaker – Fireside Chat with Malia Cohen and Richelieu Dennis Moderator: Malia Cohen, California State Controller Richelieu Dennis, Founder and Chair, The Sundial Group of Companies
12:30 to 1:20 p.m.	CalPERS/CalSTRS Private Assets Panel Attend an informative panel on alternative investments, where CalPERS and CalSTRS leadership will share their perspectives on the evolving landscape of private assets. Take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights on priorities and initiatives shaping private equity, real assets, infrastructure, and more. Moderator: Robert Ross, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Equity, CalSTRS Sarah Corr, Managing Investment Director of Real Estate, CalPERS Julie Donegan, Director of Real Estate, CalSTRS Anton Orlich, Managing Investment Director of Private Equity, CalPERS Margot Wirth, Director of Private Equity, CalSTRS
1:20 to 1:30 p.m.	Networking Break
1:30 to 2:20 p.m.	CalPERS/CalSTRS Public Assets Panel Leaders from California’s pension funds provide an in-depth look at public assets. Gain valuable insights into their perspectives, key priorities, and ongoing initiatives shaping the strategies for equities and fixed income. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from leaders driving innovation and performance. Moderator: Peter Cashion, Managing Investment Director of Sustainable Investments, CalPERS Carrie Lo, Portfolio Manager of Risk Mitigating Strategies, CalSTRS Rosie Lucchesini-Jack, Director of Fixed Income, CalSTRS David Murphy, Director of Public Equity, CalSTRS Simiso Nzima, Managing Investment Director of Global Equity, CalPERS Arnie Phillips, Managing Investment Director of Fixed Income, CalPERS
2:20 to 2:30 p.m.	Networking Break
2:30 to 3:20 p.m.	CalPERS/CalSTRS Private Markets Allocator Panel This panel will explore emerging manager programs and fund of funds strategies, their use of seeding and strategic staking, as well as their roles in fostering new talent, providing access to capital, and diversifying portfolios. Panelists will also share their criteria for success and what makes an emerging manager stand out, from performance metrics to team dynamics. Moderator: Miguel Silva, Associate Investment Manager, Sustainable Investments, CalPERS Eliza Bailey, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Belay Elizabeth Browne, Managing Director Sponsor Solutions Group, GCM Grosvenor Pamela Pavkov, Partner and Managing Director, TPG Next André Rice, President, Muller & Monroe Tracy Fong, Partner, General Catalyst
3:20 to 3:30 p.m.	Networking Break
3:30 to 4:20 p.m.	CalPERS/CalSTRS Public Markets Allocator Panel The panelists will provide a deep dive into emerging manager programs and fund of funds strategies, explaining their roles in fostering new talent, providing access to capital, diversifying portfolios, and their criteria for success. The allocators will share their perspectives on what makes an emerging manager stand out. From performance metrics to team dynamics, learn the key factors they consider when making investment decisions. Moderator: Kirk Sims, Managing Director, Emerging Manager Program, Teacher Retirement System of Texas Lawrence Bancroft, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bivium Cesar Gonzalez, Jr., Director, Manager Development and Client Portfolio Manager, Xponance Clayton Jue, President and Chief Executive Officer, Leading Edge
4:20 to 4:35 p.m.	Closing Remarks & Adjournment Theresa Taylor, Board President, CalPERS Board of Administration Karen Yamamoto, Board Vice Chair, California State Teachers’ Retirement Board

*This agenda is subject to change