The second week of classes provided the backdrop for a unique opportunity for a group of Pitt students, staff and senior leaders to hear from and talk with a Fortune 100-ranked company leader who visited our Pittsburgh campus on Sept. 5 to build on our long-standing relationship.
Thasunda Brown Duckett is president and CEO of the global financial services and retirement assets management company TIAA. She visited Pitt at the joint invitation of Chancellor Joan Gabel and Vice Chancellor for Human Resources James Gallaher Jr. TIAA partners with the University's Benefits Department as record keeper and plan administrator for Pitt's retirement plans, a relationship dating back over 100 years, from when the University was one of TIAA's founding members in 1920. Gallaher noted that it was a testimony to the strong relationship Pitt has with TIAA that Duckett was eager to visit and learn about the exciting things going on at our campus, while connecting with students, faculty, staff and leadership.
To start her visit, Duckett was greeted by Gabel and Gallaher, who met to reaffirm the University's and TIAA's commitment to helping Pitt employees attain a secure retirement. Pitt Director of Benefits Melissa Kluchurosky showed Duckett around the Cathedral of Learning before bringing her and her team to the School of Education's Center for Urban Education in Wesley W. Posvar Hall, where she held a morning fireside chat-style discussion with Gallaher and students from the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and College of Business Administration. While at the School of Education, Duckett met with senior University leaders to discuss trends in higher education and retirement savings. That meeting was followed by an afternoon session with Pitt staff and other stakeholders as she and Gallaher discussed shrinking the retirement gap for women and people from historically minoritized backgrounds, among other topics.
"We were honored to welcome Ms. Duckett and her team on campus to build on our partnership and look at some of the exciting things we're working on together to make more secure retirements possible for Pitt employees," said Gallaher. "We thank her for sharing her wisdom, insight and inspirational story with everyone she connected with."
“I always enjoy visiting with the universities and institutions that we partner with, but my day at the University of Pittsburgh was especially meaningful,” said Duckett. “That’s because our partnership goes back to 1920 and the University has long been one of our most valued relationships. I hope everyone at the school — faculty, staff and students — realizes that you have a world-class retirement program — an important benefit that everyone should take advantage of! Last week was a terrific opportunity for us to compare notes with Pitt’s leaders about how we at TIAA can continue to work effectively together to improve the financial wellness for all of this great program’s participants.”
