Barbara Zumwalt joined CalSTRS in May 2022. She has more than 30 years' experience in communications. Prior to CalSTRS, she was a Public Information Officer for the Department of Toxic Substances Control, part of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Before state service, Zumwalt was a newspaper reporter and editor. She covered junior high sports and the NFL; education and crime; and was deputy sports editor of The Sacramento Bee and deputy metro editor of The Stockton Record.

Born and raised in California, Zumwalt is the child and sibling of teachers and a product of California's public school system. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Diego State University.