National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems

The Voice for Public Pensions

About the Chief Officers Summit

The NCPERS Chief Officers Summit is a peer-driven event where candid discussions and fresh ideas energize solutions for today’s pension leadership challenges. Exclusively for CEOs and CIOs, this summit provides a unique opportunity for open, productive dialogue in a closed environment—with no trustees, vendors, or outsiders. Recognizing the critical time constraints faced by C-Suite executives in mid-market plans, the Summit offers a streamlined, highly relevant program design, maximizing every session to address key issues and share strategic insights.

Over two focused days, CEOs and CIOs engage in joint and specialized sessions tailored to their unique roles with solutions-focused discussions that dig into the distinct challenges of mid-market plans. Beyond lectures, interactive small groups foster collaborative problem-solving, allowing participants to exchange practical strategies that resonate within their organizations.


 

WHY ATTEND?

The Summit goes beyond typical pension conferences, focusing deeply on the "soft skills" that are essential to effective leadership, organizational growth, and continued adaptation. Here, executives can step back from daily demands, clear their heads, and think strategically about the future of public pensions—gaining fresh perspectives and invaluable connections with peers who understand their unique challenges and goals.

In a post-conference survey, 100% of the 2024 Chief Officers Summit attendees indicated that they would recommend this event to their colleagues. Here’s what they had to say:

 
 

Thank you to our 2025 program directors for providing their time and expertise.
 
CIO SUMMIT PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Christopher DiFusco, City of Philadelphia Board of Pensions & Retirement
Derrick Dagnan, Fort Worth Employees' Retirement Fund
Bryan Fujita, Los Angeles Fire & Police Pension System (LAFPP) 
Rod June, Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System (LACERS)
Kevin Killeavy, Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans
Jason Malinowski, Seattle City Employees' Retirement System
Craig Slaughter, West Virginia Investment Management Board (WVIMB)
Ryan Wagner, Dallas Police & Fire Pension System


CEO SUMMIT PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Debby Cherney, San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA)
Steve Delaney, Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS)
Colleen Gardner, New York State & Local Retirement System
Chris Hanson, City of Austin Employees' Retirement System
Erin Leonard, Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)
Eli Martinez, Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans
Dave Nelsen, Alameda County Employees' Retirement Association
Kristi Paczkowski, City of Knoxville Employees' Pension System
Ryk Tierney, Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC)
 Mark White, Arkansas Teacher Retirement System