Trina Ruhland
Local Government Division Candidate
Deputy County Attorney with Boulder County
Education/Special Courses/Certifications
B.A., Mathematics, University of Chicago, 2007
J.D., University of Colorado, Order of the Coif, 2010
Licensed Attorney, Colorado, 2010–Present
Investments for Institutional Investor, Callan College, 2023
PERA New Trustee Orientation, 2022
Employment History
Boulder County Attorney’s Office
- Deputy County Attorney, 2019–Present
- Senior Assistant County Attorney, 2016–2018
University of Colorado Law
- Adjunct Professor, 2020–Present
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP
- Associate Attorney, 2011–2016
Colorado Supreme Court
- Law Clerk, Honorable Allison H. Eid, 2010–2011
Colorado Attorney General’s Office
- Law Clerk, summer 2008
Organizational Affiliations/Achievements
Licensed Attorney, Colorado, 2010–Present
Trustee, PERA, July 1, 2022–Present
Responses to Key Questions
Candidate responses were limited to 100-150 words; responses have not been edited by PERA.
Interest in Serving as a PERA Trustee
Please briefly describe why you are interested in being elected to the PERA Board of Trustees.
During my current tenure as PERA trustee, I have been honored to serve the members of PERA and oversee the organization tasked with protecting our PERA retirement benefits. As a practicing attorney with a background in mathematics and data analysis as well as a strong personal interest in retirement planning and investment, I have a passion for the work of PERA and am committed to investing the time, energy, work, and attention to the oversight of PERA so that each member may be assured that their PERA retirement is being managed with the highest level of care.
Challenges/Opportunities Facing PERA
Please describe what you consider as areas of challenge/opportunity facing PERA and the Board’s role in addressing these issues.
Members expect—and need to know—that their retirement future with PERA is secure, even through down markets and unpredictable and unprecedented times. This means not only must PERA maintain the highest level of service in investing, but it must be a leader in cybersecurity and responsible governance in order to protect members’ retirements by ensuring the financial stability of the PERA fund. The responsible governance of PERA directly impacts the financial well-being of the fund and the financial stability of our members’ PERA retirement.
My legal background with governance advising uniquely positions me to oversee the responsible governance of PERA; I will ensure the proper information is brought before the board, continue to question and evaluate assumptions, and explore options carefully and intentionally when appropriate.
The Role of a Trustee
What do you see as the role of a Trustee on the PERA Board?
The role of a trustee is ensuring responsible governance. As a trustee I am committed to making well-informed and transparent decisions, both of which are essential to responsible governance. I am committed to understanding the diverse and changing needs of PERA’s membership and making sure the communications and information from PERA meet those needs.