Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

TRS is proud to celebrate Illinois Principal Appreciation Week! We recognize the leadership, dedication, and impact of principals statewide who guide teachers and students every day. Thank you for your commitment to shaping the future of Illinois schools. #ThankAPrincipal

We’re pleased to welcome back Lorraine “Rainy” Kaplan to the TRS Board of Trustees. A retired educator and returning trustee, Rainy brings continuity, experience, and a deep understanding of the TRS mission. Her passion for supporting retired and active members alike makes her an invaluable voice at the table. Welcome back, Rainy — we’re glad you’re here. 🔗 Meet the trustees: https://lnkd.in/gM5_vsYi #TRSIL #TRS

Ready to launch your career in investing? The TRS Investment Internship Program offers paid, hands-on experience working alongside industry leaders across multiple asset classes. You’ll build skills in portfolio management, market research, and financial modeling — all while contributing to real investment decisions that impact more than 456,000 Illinois educators. Applications are now open. Take the first step toward a rewarding career in institutional investing with TRS. 🔗https://lnkd.in/gXDvnW-i

We are pleased to welcome Powis Forjoe as a Senior Investment Officer – Diversifying Strategies at TRS! Powis is a senior institutional investment professional with more than a decade of experience managing hedge fund and liquid alternatives portfolios for large pension and retirement plans. He brings deep expertise in quantitative analysis, portfolio construction, and risk management that will be instrumental in advancing TRS’s Diversifying Strategies portfolio. With a strong background across hedge fund strategies such as trend following, long volatility, global macro, and relative value fixed income, Powis has successfully managed multi-billion-dollar portfolios and led due diligence, sourcing, and evaluation of top-tier investment managers around the world. Before joining TRS, Powis served as Managing Director of Quantitative Investment Strategies at Simplify Asset Management and as Portfolio Manager for Liquid Alternatives at UPS Group Trust, where he oversaw a $3 billion portfolio designed to deliver uncorrelated returns and support long-term plan stability. Powis’s leadership and collaborative approach will be central to strengthening TRS’s Diversifying Strategies portfolio — helping ensure the System remains well-positioned to meet its obligations and navigate market changes. Welcome to the TRS team.

We’re proud to have Senior Investment Officer Janice Llereza featured in this month's Emerging Manager Monthly. The feature highlights the important role our program plays in fostering opportunity, innovation, and long-term growth across the investment landscape. Janice was featured for her leadership and commitment to expanding the program’s reach and impact. We’re proud of the work our Emerging Manager team continues to lead — and look forward to how Janice’s expertise and vision will further strengthen and grow TRS’s commitment to emerging and diverse managers. #EmergingManagers #InstitutionalInvesting #TRSIllinois

We’re excited to welcome Beatrice Bonner to the TRS communications team! Known throughout the community as the host of NPR Illinois’ Community Voices, Beatrice brings her passion for storytelling and connection to our mission of serving Illinois educators. Read more in the Springfield Business Journal: https://lnkd.in/gijw4DHP

We are excited to welcome Sean Casey to the TRS Board of Trustees. Sean is a school psychologist and financial literacy advocate with a passion for supporting the whole child and the whole educator. His expertise in both education and personal finance will bring a unique and thoughtful perspective to the Board. Welcome aboard, Sean! We’re glad to have you with us. 🔗 Meet the trustees: https://lnkd.in/gM5_vsYi Shape#TRSIL #TRS

Join us in welcoming Diana Ochoa as a Senior Investment Officer at TRS! Diana is a senior investment professional with 25 years of experience spanning private equity, venture capital, real estate, infrastructure, and private credit. She has a proven record of managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios, driving complex investment strategies, and building strong relationships with leading managers across global markets. At TRS, Diana will play a central role in advancing our $12 billion private equity program. She will help lead the evaluation and execution of new investment opportunities, strengthen key manager relationships, and contribute to portfolio decisions that support long-term growth and stability for our members. With her extensive experience in sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio construction, Diana will help ensure TRS continues to achieve strong, measurable outcomes while maintaining a disciplined, strategic approach to investing. Diana’s leadership extends beyond portfolio management. She brings a deep commitment to mentorship, helping cultivate the next generation of investment professionals, and contributing to initiatives that enhance collaboration and innovation across the TRS Investments Department. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Diana serves as Treasurer for Justice for Migrant Women and as a board member for Loyola University’s Quinlan School of Business Finance Department Advisory Board, sharing her expertise to strengthen organizations and communities alike. Welcome to the team, Diana! We are thrilled to have you on board and look forward to the impact your leadership, expertise, and vision will bring to TRS and our members. #Leadership #PrivateEquity #InvestmentManagement

Albert “Al” Llorens dedicated his life to supporting educators and students. As President of the Illinois Education Association, his leadership and advocacy helped strengthen public education in Illinois and supported the teachers and education professionals we serve. His impact will be felt for generations to come. We join the Illinois education community in mourning his passing and honoring his remarkable legacy. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gG77NN4b

Join us in congratulating our Q3 Employee of the Quarter, Sydney Harrison! Sydney’s dedication has been invaluable. Her ability to bring the right people together to research, discuss, and implement critical changes has supported not just her team, but the entire organization. She exemplifies true teamwork, consistently fostering collaboration to drive results. For her unwavering commitment, collaborative spirit, and the incredible value she brings, we are proud to nominate Sydney. Thank you, Sydney, for your outstanding contributions and for consistently demonstrating TRS’s core values. We are fortunate to have you on our team.