The History at Work Speaker Series invites former history majors, minors, and advocates to discuss how they have transformed historical thinking into post-college careers, and to show current majors how to think about the strengths and possibilities of their own training. 

With special guest alum Richard Costigan. A recognized political, policy strategist and advocate for over three decades, bringing unique insight and practical experience from the public and private sectors that focused on bipartisan solutions to complex policy issues. Appointed to state office by both Governor Schwarzenegger and Governor Brown, and confirmed unanimously by the California State Senate.

All students and majors are welcome!

We'll have Chik fil A for the first 20 attendees.

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Richard Costigan has extensive experience in the Executive and Legislative Branches of California State Government, including serving as Legislative Affairs Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of California, Chief of Staff to two Minority leaders in the California State Assembly, Caucus Policy Director, Budget and Appropriations Consultant.

Throughout his career, Richard has led complex organizations, managed staff and worked in highly complex and visible environments, worked on some of the most important policy and regulatory issues of the last 20 years (AB 32 (2006)); as well as the largest Infrastructure Bond package in California history, advised CEOs and senior executives, political leaders and candidates and worked with major business and political leaders throughout the State.

For over a decade served on the State Personnel Board overseeing the state’s merit system, decided thousands of personnel cases, complex legal issues, Civil Service and classification reform.

From 2010 to 2018, served on the Board of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in North America. As Chair of the influential Finance and Administration, he had oversight of the $1.7 billion operating budget and 2800 positions, setting the fund’s discount rate, risk management, liquidity and treasury management and other financial issues.

In the private sector, advised a wide range of clients across all sectors on issues ranging from politics, policy, regulatory matters, technology and procurement, healthcare, climate change, clean tech and renewable energy, infrastructure and financing.

Clients included Oracle USA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (#2 Hospital in the US), Intel Corporation, County of Los Angeles, Conduent, Alta Med Health, Astellas Pharmaceuticals, Western Dental, Toyota North America, Stanley Black and Decker, San Francisco Bar Pilots, Kern Oil and Refining, City of Sacramento Economic Development, California Fitness Alliance, San Diego Regional Airport Authority, Meg Whitman for Governor 2010, the Molasky Group, Colorado Indian Tribes, SAS Institute, TechNet, California Chamber of Commerce.