Kader Sakkaria Appointed to TRS Board of Trustees

Recent Investment Commitments Reviewed During February Board Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Communications Office, Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS), trs_communications@trsil.org

Trustee Kader Sakkaria
Trustee Kader Sakkaria

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor JB Pritzker has appointed Kader Sakkaria* of Naperville to the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) Board of Trustees.

Kader Sakkaria is the Global Head of Data Technology at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage and risk management firms. In this role, he leads the company’s global initiatives in data modernization, cloud migration, and advanced analytics. Previously, Sakkaria served as Chief Technology Officer at Alined Consulting Group and as Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Ruffalo Noel Levitz. Earlier in his career, he held technology leadership roles at Realogy Holdings Corporation and BMO Bank.

An active contributor to the global technology community, Sakkaria serves on the QuaXigma advisory board and previously was a board member at Dun & Bradstreet TransUnion. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Computer Applications from the University of Madras, and an MBA from Northwestern University.

“Kader brings an exceptional depth of experience in technology strategy, data modernization, and advanced analytics,” said Stan Rupnik, TRS Executive Director & Chief Investment Officer. “His expertise will be tremendously valuable as TRS advances our pension system modernization project and explores broader applications of AI to enhance service for our members.”

“We are proud to welcome Kader to the TRS Board of Trustees,” said Matthew Hunt, TRS Board President. “His global technology leadership and commitment to innovation will strengthen our Board and support our ongoing efforts to serve Illinois educators.”

During the February board meeting, the TRS Board of Trustees reviewed the following: 

Within the System’s $13.3 billion Private Equity Portfolio:

  • The commitment of $90 million to Quantum Energy Partners IX, L.P. Quantum currently manages $144.6 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $150 million to Greenbriar Equity Fund VII, L.P. Greenbriar currently manages $66.7 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $85 million to Bregal Sagemount V-B, L.P. Bregal Sagemount currently manages $99.1 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $40 million to ASP ILSTRS Asia SMA 1, L.P. Adams Street Partners currently manages $195.3 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of 975 million Japanese Yen to Bain Capital Asia Fund VI, L.P. Bain currently manages $60.0 million in TRS assets.

Within the System’s $30.7 billion Public Equity Portfolio:

The commitment of $400 million to Ninety One Global Equity. Ninety One Global is a new relationship for TRS.

Within the System’s $13.1 billion Real Assets Portfolio:

The commitment of $200 million to Blue Owl Real Estate Fund VII, L.P. Blue Owl currently manages $470.0 million in TRS assets.

Within the $21.6 billion Income Portfolio:

  • The commitment of $60 million to Sound Point Strategic Capital Fund III, L.P. Sound Point is a new relationship to TRS.
  • The commitment of $100 million to DoubleLine Capital. DoubleLine currently manages $30.3 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $100 million to Payden & Rygel. Payden & Rygel currently manages $544.2 million in TRS assets as a diverse manager.
  • The commitment of $250 million to JP Morgan Asset Management. JP Morgan currently manages $206.3 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $150 million to Wellington Management Company. Wellington is a new relationship for TRS.

Within the $4.3 billion Diversifying Strategies Portfolio:

  • The commitment of $200 million to Winton Trend Fund Limited. Winton currently manages $107.8 million in TRS assets.
  •  The commitment of $150 million to CFM Institutional Systematic Trends Fund L.L.C. CFM currently manages $311.3 million in TRS assets.

About Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois

The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois is the 35th largest pension system in the United States and provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators, and other public-school personnel employed outside of Chicago. The System serves over 462,000 members and had assets of $83.18 billion as of January 31, 2026.
 

*   Appointment pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.