Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen serves on the CIMAS Council and is the Chief Operating Investment Officer of CalPERS, one of the world’s largest and most influential institutional investors. Appointed to this role in December 2023, he oversees the full spectrum of investment office operations, including data and technology, performance and analytics, investment compliance, business administration, investment relations, talent management, and organizational culture.

With more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in government and public finance, Michael brings deep expertise in executive management, fiscal policy, and institutional governance. His leadership at CalPERS has been widely recognized as a beacon for institutional allocators in the United States and globally, particularly for integrating operational excellence with long-term policy stewardship and responsible investment principles.

Michael joined CalPERS in October 2018 as Chief Financial Officer, where he was responsible for all financial functions of the organization, including budgeting, accounting, cash management, financial planning and analysis, and enterprise risk initiatives. His tenure helped strengthen CalPERS’ financial discipline and transparency during a period of heightened market and policy complexity.

Prior to CalPERS, Michael served as Director of the California Department of Finance, managing the State of California’s budget on behalf of Governor Jerry Brown. Earlier in his career, he spent 13 years at the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, advising the California Legislature on fiscal, economic, and public policy matters.

In August 2018, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Michael to the University of California Board of Regents, where he serves through 2030, contributing to the governance of one of the world’s leading public university systems. He is also a member of the Climate Action 100+ Steering Committee, reflecting his leadership in advancing climate-aligned investment practices among global asset owners.

Through his role on the CIMAS Council, Michael brings unparalleled insight into institutional governance, investment operations, and policy leadership, enriching CIMAS’s mission to elevate decision-making standards for family offices and institutional allocators worldwide.