CalSTRS is committed to setting best practice precedents, implementing innovative diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles, and advancing the world’s investment markets through positive change. This is accomplished by establishing meaningful relationships across a vast network of investment managers, portfolio companies and industry associations.  

In the first of two educational sessions, CalSTRS staff members updated the Teachers’ Retirement Board’s Investment Committee on crucial elements and best practices in DEI built into CalSTRS' Diversity in the Management of Investments strategy. The committee also heard from a panel of external experts with diverse, cross-disciplinary and applicable DEI knowledge who shared their insights into industry best practices.

Knowledge and understanding of these factors better position CalSTRS to achieve its financial goals and meet its obligations to California’s public-school educators.

CalSTRS highlights diversity as part of its core values: “We ensure the strength of our system by embracing a diversity of ideas and people.”

Building on nearly three decades of integrating diversity into the management of investments, CalSTRS is continuing and increasing its momentum behind the following three pillars:

• Internal Investments Branch: Workforce diversity brings advantages to organizations through enhanced creativity, stronger governance and problem-solving abilities leading to increased profitability. More than half of the CalSTRS portfolio is managed internally, so the diversity of the team is critical.
• Industry and portfolio company engagement: Diversity is crucial to companies’ long-term financial success. Along with investment industry partners, CalSTRS continues to influence global markets by steering changes in board and workforce diversity.
• Portfolio management: CalSTRS has been a long-time supporter of, and investor in, emerging and diverse managers.

Another presentation on DEI is tentatively scheduled for the January 2024 board meeting.