Sharmila Kassam, Esq., CPA, is the deputy chief investment officer for the investments division at the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). As Deputy Chief Investment Officer, she partners with the Chief Investment Officer to manage a $30 billion defined benefit investment program by overseeing asset allocation, investment strategy and staff as well as working with management and the Board. Her investment knowledge spans multiple asset classes with a strong focus on private equity, infrastructure and private credit having been actively involved with the inception of each of these programs at ERS. She also consults on the $3 billion defined contribution investment product platform. Sharmila is versed in different pension structures and retirement policy decisions supporting retirement plans for the employees to which they are promised. Her current public sector work has been complemented by a decade of prior work experience in financial, management and legal roles in technology and venture-backed companies.