Nick Abel named director of Sustainable Investment at CalSTRS USA

CalSTRS has appointed Nick Abel as director of Sustainable Investment and Stewardship Strategies, elevating the pension plan's leadership as it scales private-market climate investments and strengthens its stewardship agenda. Abel assumed the position on December 2 and will run a team charged with aligning investment returns and emissions-reduction goals for the fund that serves California public educators.

In his new capacity, Abel will steward the SISS portfolio across global private assets, expand allocations into climate-focused opportunities and coordinate proxy voting and engagement programs that support the fund’s governance priorities. He will also play a central role in advising the Teachers’ Retirement Board on the system’s net-zero portfolio emissions pathway and related policy work.

Chief Investment Officer Scott Chan praised Abel’s background in sourcing complex structures and cultivating international partnerships, saying the hire strengthens the fund’s ability to marry financial performance with climate outcomes. The move continues a broader trend among large public pensions to integrate stewardship activities with private-market investing as a route to durable returns and risk mitigation.

Abel joined the fund in 2020 after roles at private investment firms, including Wespath Investment Management, RVK, Inc. and Saturna Capital, Inc.. He replaces Kirsty Jenkinson, who moved into a senior role overseeing Private Markets and SISS earlier in the year; Abel will report to Jenkinson as part of the organisation’s reconfigured private-markets leadership.

CalSTRS, which manages roughly $300 billion on behalf of California teachers, has been expanding private-market exposure and sharpening stewardship tactics — from proxy voting to regulatory engagement — as it seeks scalable climate solutions. Industry data show many large pension plans are increasing private allocations to capture illiquidity premia while using ownership influence to press companies on transition strategies.

Abel’s biography highlights long-standing involvement in investor working groups and standards bodies. He serves on the Institutional Limited Partners Association advisory committee and has contributed to initiatives run by organisations such as Ceres and the Principles for Responsible Investment. That network will be important as CalSTRS pursues collaborative engagements across markets and asset classes.