Christopher J. Ailman, who has served as chief investment officer of CalSTRS since 2000, announced his retirement to the Teachers' Retirement Board Investment Committee at its January 2024 meeting.

He will continue to serve as CIO through June 30, 2024, while the board conducts a global search for his successor, and he will serve as an advisor to the new CIO to assist in the transition for the remainder of 2024.

During his two decades stewarding the the CalSTRS Investment Portfolio, Ailman helped CalSTRS overcome the internet bubble bursting in 2000–2002, the economic effects of the 9/11 tragedy and the 2008 global financial crisis. The CalSTRS Investment Portfolio was valued at $109.6 billion when he started and has grown to $327 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Ailman has built a strong culture for the Investments Branch that is widely recognized across the institutional investment industry. As a result, CalSTRS has been named one of the "Best Places to Work in Money Management" by Pensions & Investments eight years in a row and nine times total. Ailman is annually listed among the top 100 global CIOs and has been named CIO of the year by multiple publications.

Throughout his career, Ailman has been a champion of diversity both at CalSTRS and in the investment industry, leading the way with internship and mentorship programs, emerging and diverse manager commitments, outreach events, and engagements at portfolio companies. These programs are a key part of CalSTRS' culture and will continue to grow under the new CIO.

The board will form a committee to immediately begin a global search for a new CIO.