Cris Rojas-Appleton, Deputy Secretary for Administration and Audits

Cris Rojas-Appleton joined CalSTA as a Deputy Secretary for Administration and Audits (retired annuitant) in July 2024. Before retiring in 2023, she served as the Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), where she managed the department’s administrative, back office, and program support functions, overseeing divisions such as Human Resources, Legal Affairs, and Investigations. Prior to this, Cris was the Director of Human Resources at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), managing all HR policies and operations, including recruitment, labor relations, and performance enhancement. Her career includes significant roles at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), providing leadership in administration and policy development.

Cris holds a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School, a Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School, and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from UC Davis. She continues to be very involved in community service and non-profits.