About

I am honored to earn the trust of CalPERS public agency members who voted to elect me to the CalPERS Board. Whether you voted for me or Richard Fuentes, I promise to fight to protect our retirement and health care security. I want to thank Richard and his supporters for keeping this election focused on securing our pensions--a mission that requires our full attention. I look forward to working with public agency employees and unions on critical retirement and health care issues.
–Mullissa Willette, Tax Exemption Investigator, Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office

About Mullissa

Since 2012, I’ve helped make tax determinations on billions of dollars of property tax claims for the Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office. This work includes analyzing data, reviewing financial records, ensuring legal compliance and assessing property tax status.

As SEIU Local 521 First Vice-President, my duties include business administration, strategic planning, budgeting, contract negotiations and legislative advocacy. I help oversee a $30 million operating budget for my 40,000 member union.

I’ve learned from analyzing financial data that behind every number there are real lives that matter. As your CalPERS trustee, I’ll fight to protect your hard earned pension and health care benefits.

I would be honored to gain your trust and your vote.

Endorsements

UNIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

SEIU State Council
SEIU Local 521, SEIU Local 721, SEIU Local 1021, SEIU Local 221
South Bay Labor Council—Executive Board
Silicon Valley Working Blue Democratic Club
Santa Clara & San Benito Building and Construction Trades Council
Building Trades Council - IBEW 332
California Professional Firefighters
Santa Clara County Employees Management Association

CalPERS TRUSTEES:

Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer
Theresa Taylor
Jose Luis Pacheco
Ramon Rubalcava
Lisa Middleton
David Miller
Priya Mathur—Former CalPERS Board President, BART employee
Ron Lind—Former Trustee

LEADERSHIP:

John Courtney, President—ATU Local 265
Maya Esparza, San Jose Councilmember
Peter Ortiz, Trustee—Santa Clara County Board of Education
Rebecca Armendariz, Gilroy Councilmember
Gary Kremen, President—Santa Clara Valley Water District
Patrick Ahrens President, Foothill De Anza College Board of Trustees, FHDA
Sally Lieber, City Councilwoman, City of Mountain View
Riley Talford, Trustee, FCERA
Sergio Jimenez, San Jose Councilmember
Sylvia Arenas, San Jose Councilmember
Dave Cortese, State Senator

CalPERS Members

Tammy Dhanota, Public Communications Specialist, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Jason Dorsey, General Maintenance Mechanic III / SEIU 521 Chapter Vice President,
Santa Clara County
Jonathan Cholula, Procurement Contract Specialist, Santa Clara County
Carol Garvey, Retired, Santa Clara County
Dawn Cieslik, Assistant Chief Appraiser, Santa Clara County Assessor
John Arantes, President BART Chapter SEIU 1021, BART
Lupe Gutierrez, Healthcare worker/PSAII, San Mateo County

“If you’re looking for a trustee who understands investments, asks tough questions and has the integrity to defend your pensions, Mullissa’s your choice.”
John Arantes, President BART Chapter SEIU 1021

“Mullissa is exceptionally qualified to be our next CalPERS trustee. Her experience fighting for workers' rights, protecting our retirement and parsing financial data is impressive. Mullissa Willette is our choice to protect our retirement and health care security."
Brian Rice, President, California Professional Firefighters

“For the last ten years, I’ve worked with Mullissa to defend workers’ rights, fight for retirement benefits and deliver access to quality healthcare. She’s experienced, dedicated, and honest. Mullissa Willette’s ready to serve.”
Riko Mendez, CEO SEIU 521

“Mullissa loves numbers and spreadsheets. You can count on her to protect your retirement and healthcare security.”
Theresa Taylor, CalPERS Board President

"Mullissa Willette is extremely well-qualified to serve as your next CalPERS trustee. She's a fierce fighter for retirement and health care security who knows how to take deep dives into financial data. Mullissa is ready on DAY ONE to protect your pension."
Jose Luis Pacheco, CalPERS Board Member (At-Large)

PROTECT YOUR PENSION &
SECURE YOUR RETIREMENT

Ensure sufficient cash flow to pay benefits
Make sure investments don’t privatize public jobs
Reduce risky Wall Street investments and lower fees
Engage with corporate boards to increase shareholder value and diversify directors
Urge companies to address financial risks caused by climate change and poor governance

DELIVER ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

Provide complete health care and reproductive services for women
Ensure provider choice and insurance options throughout California
Use CalPERS’ market share to negotiate lower costs for services
Push for greater transparency from insurance providers

FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE

Harvard Business School—Certification in Alternative Investments: Maximize portfolio value by assessing investment opportunities in private equity, private debt and real estate.
UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business—Certification in Modern Investment Practices for Retirement Systems: Portfolio/Risk Management; Asset Allocation, Actuarial Analysis, Governance, Fiduciary Duties, Impact of COVID and Inflation.
CA Board of Equalization—Certification in Advanced Assessment Analyst: Applicable administrative rules, case and statutory law.
Southern New Hampshire University, Bachelor of Management, Public Administration

LEADERSHIP

First Vice-President, SEIU Local 521
Chairperson/Commissioner for Santa Clara County Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Elections
Local 521 Retirement Security and Pension Committee
Alternate Commissioner--
SCC Juvenile Justice Systems Collaborative
Santa Clara University, Amos Dana Award--
Distinction in Public Service
American University, Peace and Conflict Resolution