In the complex world of public pension systems—where precision, compliance, and trust are paramount—innovation doesn’t always make headlines. But for Mailen Nuñez, a ’18 MS in Information Systems graduate of Touro University’s Graduate School of Technology, innovation is exactly what drives her work.
“I’m passionate about using technology to solve complex problems at scale and improve the lives of end users. In the public sector, thoughtful innovation strengthens transparency, efficiency, and trust,” said Nuñez. As Project Manager of the Annual Benefits Statement (ABS) at the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), Nuñez is helping transform how retirement information is delivered to more than tens of thousands of educators across the city. Her work sits at the intersection of emerging technology, project management, data integration, and strategic public service.
“In this role, I oversee the end-to-end production of the Annual Benefits Statement, coordinating with external vendors and cross-functional teams including IT, communications, accounting, benefits administration, procurement, and legal to ensure data accuracy and timely delivery. I also manage risk, support testing and quality assurance, and ensure members receive clear, comprehensive retirement information,” said Nuñez.
Redesigning Critical Retirement Projections for Educators
The Annual Benefits Statement is more than a yearly statement—it is one of the most critical financial documents TRS members receive. The ABS required a forward-thinking approach to improve efficiency, accuracy, and member engagement.
The Annual Benefits Statements provide clear, personalized retirement projections and service summaries, empowering educators to better understand and plan their financial futures.
By leveraging business intelligence tools, system integrations, and automation technologies, Nuñez is helping ensure that members receive timely, reliable information while the organization benefits from improved operational efficiency and a more streamlined and user-centered model.
What makes Nuñez’s work especially impactful is its scale and responsibility. Pension systems handle sensitive financial data and must meet strict compliance and audit standards. Through collaboration with external vendors and cross-functional teams, including IT, communications, accounting, benefits administration, procurement, legal, and other key stakeholders, she supported initiatives that strengthened data governance, improved transparency, and enhanced accuracy.
Nuñez credits her education at the Touro University Graduate School of Technology with equipping her with both technical expertise and strategic insight. “Being a Touro student gave me a strong foundation in systems analysis and strategic project management, both of which are essential skills in the public sector. The technical problem-solving frameworks I learned about as a student help me greatly when managing cross-functional teams, addressing infrastructure challenges, and improving processes. Most importantly, I learned how to bridge the gap between technical teams and organizational leadership,” she said.
Today, this alum exemplifies how technology professionals can make meaningful societal impact—not only by building systems, but by improving the lives of the people those systems serve.
In helping streamline a critical public institution, Mailen Nuñez is proving that innovation in the public sector is not just possible—it is essential.