2025 Trailblazer Award

Honoring Margot for making her mark in private equity.

Given her storied career and extensive background in the industry, the work that she has done in building CalSTRs successful private equity program, as well as her efforts in backing diverse managers and steadfast support for women at CalSTRS and beyond, in 2025 we named Margot Wirth, Director of Private Equity, CalSTRS as our Trailblazer. 

Since joining CalSTRS in 2001, Margot has overseen a portfolio now valued at over $40 billion, contributing to the success of CalSTRS through her careful stewardship of over $65 billion in commitments across fund investments and co-investments. 

With a career beginning as a chemical engineer at DuPont and later as a valuation consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Margot brings a unique blend of technical and financial acumen to her role. She also has experience in real estate development, which has informed her approach to the dynamic needs of private equity in public pensions. 

Margot is joining a notable list of previous Trailblazer Award recipients - including Sandra Horbach, Pat Cloherty, Ginger More, JoAnn Price, Kelly Williams, Sue Toigo and Kim Lew and many more.