Executive Staff
Executive staff
The CalSTRS Executive staff are committed to administering the direction set by the Teachers’ Retirement Board and are responsible for day-to-day operations of the system.
Jack Ehnes
Chief Executive Officer
Jack Ehnes is the chief executive officer of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System. Since 2002, Ehnes has provided leadership for the largest educator-only pension fund in the world.
Cassandra Lichnock
Chief Operating Officer
Cassandra Lichnock is the chief operating officer (COO) of CalSTRS, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world with an investment portfolio valued at $291.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. CalSTRS administers a hybrid retirement system, consisting of a traditional defined benefit, cash balance and defined contribution plans, as well as disability and survivor benefits. CalSTRS serves more than 949,000 members and benefit recipients. CalSTRS administers retirement benefits for California’s public school educators in grades kindergarten through community college.
Brian J. Bartow
General Counsel
Brian Bartow is the general counsel of CalSTRS, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world with an investment portfolio valued at $291.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. He is the primary legal adviser to the Teachers’ Retirement Board and heads the fund’s Legal Services team, as well as its Office of Ethics and Compliance, Office of Information Security and Community Property Division.
Lisa Blatnick
Chief of Administrative Services
Lisa Blatnick is the chief of administrative services at CalSTRS, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world. Blatnick is responsible for the activities in the Facilities Management and Procurement, and Human Resources divisions.
Scott Chan
Deputy Chief Investment Officer
Scott Chan joined CalSTRS, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world, as the deputy chief investment officer in August 2018. Chan oversees CalSTRS’ investment division, with an investment portfolio valued at $291.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. He is responsible for leading a diverse and growing team of over 200 investment professionals. He manages eight critical investment functions including investment strategy and risk, global equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, risk mitigating strategies, inflation sensitive and sustainable investment and stewardship strategies. His position reports directly to Chief Investment Officer Christopher J. Ailman.
Ashish Jain
Chief Technology Officer
Ashish Jain is the Chief Technology Officer of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world with an investment portfolio valued at $291.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. CalSTRS administers a hybrid retirement system, consisting of a traditional defined benefit, cash balance and defined contribution plans, as well as disability and survivor benefits. CalSTRS serves more than 949,000 members and benefit recipients. CalSTRS administers retirement benefits for California’s public-school educators in grades kindergarten through community college.
William “Bill” Perez
Chief Benefits Officer
William “Bill” Perez is the chief benefits officer at CalSTRS, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world with an investment portfolio valued at $291.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. Perez provides high-level oversight and management of all retirement, disability and survivor benefits, member account services, benefits planning and customer contact program operations in leading CalSTRS’ largest branch. His position reports directly to CalSTRS’ Chief Operating Officer Cassandra Lichnock.
Teresa Schilling
Chief Public Affairs Officer
Teresa Schilling is the Chief Public Affairs Officer at CalSTRS, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world with an investment portfolio valued at $291.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. Schilling provides strategic leadership and guidance to the Teachers’ Retirement Board, executives and the CalSTRS organization on policy, communications and stakeholder programs and issues.
Julie Underwood
Chief Financial Officer
Julie Underwood is the chief financial officer at CalSTRS, the largest educator-only pension fund in the world with an investment portfolio valued at $291.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. Underwood was the former CFO at the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA), responsible for the accounting and financial reporting operations of a $9.9 billion multiple-employer defined benefit pension plan.