Teresa Schilling

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.

She oversees three divisions within Public Affairs—Communications, External Affairs and Governmental Relations—and reports directly to CalSTRS Chief Operating Officer Cassandra Lichnock.

Schilling joined CalSTRS as Chief Public Affairs Officer in January 2021. Prior to that time, Schilling was the assistant director for public affairs and communications for the California Department of Conservation, where she directed crisis communications and served as a senior adviser for the leadership team working on cross-divisional programs and strategies.

Schilling also served as assistant executive director for media communications at the California Energy Commission, held several policy positions in the California State Senate and served as press secretary for Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

As a strategic communications specialist for Lincoln Crow Communications, Schilling handled strategic planning, organizing and communications on public engagement campaigns for businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies. She has also been a grassroots organizer and communications specialist at the state and national levels, working to advance environmental initiatives at several organizations, including the Sierra Club.

Schilling graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.