Regent Michael Cohen

In December 2023, Michael Cohen was named Chief Operating Investment Officer at CalPERS, the California Public Employees' Retirement System. He’s responsible for overseeing investment office administration, talent management, and culture. In this role, he serves as the Chief of Staff to the Chief Investment Officer. As a member of the executive leadership team, he also provides expert consultation and advice to the CalPERS Board. The fund serves more than 2 million members in the CalPERS retirement system and administers benefits for more than 1.5 million members and their families in its health program, making it the largest defined-benefit public pension in the U.S. Previously, from 2018 through 2023, Mr. Cohen served as the Chief Financial Officer of CalPERS, overseeing all financial systems of the pension fund. 

From 2013 to 2018, Mr. Cohen served as California Director of Finance. In this capacity, he served as the Governor Jerry Brown’s chief fiscal policy advisor. Prior to becoming Director, he served as Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Finance from 2011 to 2013, serving as the department’s lead contact with the state Legislature on the state budget.

From 1997 to 2010, Mr. Cohen worked at the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO).  While there, he served as a local government finance analyst, Director of State Administration, and Deputy Legislative Analyst.

Mr. Cohen earned a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies from Stanford University. He lives in Sacramento with his wife Amy Supinger and his two dogs, Lulu and Dexter.

He was appointed to the Board in August, 2018 by Governor Brown for a 12 year term ending in 2030.