Our Network
For the Long Term's growing network is made up of state, county, and local Treasurers, Comptrollers, Controllers, and Auditors from California to Maine who are committed to ensuring strong returns for their constituents by addressing the serious material risks of climate change, racial inequity, and other key issues.
Learn more about the public officials we work with below!
State Officials
California State Treasurer - Fiona Ma
Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state's history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position.
Treasurer Ma was a member of the State Assembly from 2006-2012, serving as
Speaker pro Tempore from 2010 to 2012. She built a reputation as a solution-oriented public servant and was adept at building unlikely coalitions to overcome California's most complex problems. Prior to serving as Speaker pro Tempore, she was Assembly Majority Whip and built coalitions during a state budget crisis to pass groundbreaking legislation that protected public education and the environment while also expanding access to health care.
As an Assembly Member, she authored 60 bills that were signed into law by two different governors – most were first-in-the-nation and required no taxpayer money. Her successful legislation to ban toxic chemicals in baby products, known as phthalates, became a model for federal legislation that was authored by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in 2008. She chaired the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence and spearheaded legislation that strengthened laws protecting victims of domestic violence, consumers and working families.
From 2002-2006, she served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and championed a human rights campaign to end human trafficking in massage parlors and to close prostitution rings.
Treasurer Ma first became involved in public service in 1994 when she was elected president of the Asian Business Association, where she began advocating at San Francisco City Hall and the State Capitol on behalf of minority business owners. Her work resulted in her election in 1995 as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business, where she advocated for socially responsible contracting for minorities and women in San Francisco, ultimately producing a report to Congress detailing 60 top policy recommendations to help small businesses grow and prosper in the 21st century.
Also in 1995, she was appointed to the Assessment Appeals Board of San Francisco by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. That year she started her public service career as a part-time district representative for then-State Senator John Burton and served as Burton’s district representative until her election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
From 1989-93 she worked for Ernst & Young, before starting her own accounting practice in San Francisco. Ernst & Young was one of the largest professional services firms in the world and considered one of the "big four" accounting firms.
Most recently before being elected Treasurer, she was an elected member of the California Board of Equalization from 2015 until January 2019 and worked to protect the rights of taxpayers while ensuring California collected its fair share of tax revenues. Upon being selected Chairperson of the Board of Equalization in 2016, she ordered three external audits of the agency and helped lead the biggest reforms for accountability and efficiency in that agency’s history.
Treasurer Ma has been a licensed CPA in California since 1992 and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), a Master’s Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University (SF), and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a Member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, serves on the Board of California Women Lead, is an Honorary Chair and Spokesperson for the San Francisco Hepatitis B Free Campaign, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
She is married to Jason Hodge, a full-time firefighter and Oxnard Harbor Commissioner.
Colorado State Treasurer - Dave Young
A native Coloradan, Dave Young began his term as Colorado State Treasurer on January 8, 2019. Before that, Dave taught math, science, and technology at a middle school for almost 25 years, taught masters students at the University of Colorado for a decade, worked in the tech sector for several years, and was a state legislator for four terms.
He never planned to enter politics, but Dave’s younger sister is challenged with significant disabilities and he could see the difficulties she had getting care. He learned his sister wasn’t the only one struggling to get essential services. So, he decided to run for the Colorado House to fix a system that was taking advantage of the most vulnerable in our society.
Appointed to the Colorado legislature representing a State House District in northern Colorado in 2011, Dave was then elected to that position in 2012 and re-elected twice more. Beginning in November 2014, Dave served four years as a member of the Joint Budget Committee and as the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
During this time as Colorado State Treasurer, Dave has worked on several significant efforts: improving access to workplace retirement savings plans for almost 1 million employees in the private sector, managing the state’s debt, including saving over $22 million in 2019 for the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program, returning unclaimed property to Coloradans and serving in a senior leadership position for the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators(NAUPA), making positive changes as a trustee of Colorado PERA to help Colorado's public sector retirees, and orking with legislators from all sides to ensure the state's money is safe and well-invested.
Dave earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics at Colorado State University, and his Masters in Information and Learning Technologies at CU–Denver. He is married to Mary Young, Ph.D., who has worked as a special education teacher, a special education coordinator, and a school psychologist. She is now the State Representative in the Colorado State House. Dave’s sister lives in Pueblo West.
Connecticut State Treasurer - Erick Russell
Erick Russell was sworn in as Connecticut’s 84th State Treasurer on January 4, 2023. He is currently serving his first term.
Born and raised in New Haven, Russell adopted the worth ethic and financial responsibility of his parents by working in the family’s small convenience store. He would become the first in his family to graduate college, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven.
Russell continued his education at the University of Connecticut School of Law. As a law student, he began to merge his talents with the values instilled by his parents. He volunteered to help low-income taxpayers navigate the complexities of federal and state tax law as part of UConn’s Low-Income Tax Clinic. He also interned with the Connecticut Legal Rights Project and the administration of Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy.
After law school, Russell joined the prestigious Connecticut law firm of Pullman & Comley where he was a partner in the firm’s Public and Private Finance Group. Russell represented towns, cities and the state in financing infrastructure projects, managing debt and restructuring pension obligations. In that work, Russell often interfaced directly with the Office of the Treasurer, gaining firsthand insight into how the agency operates and its potential to shape the financial future of Connecticut.
As treasurer, Russell administers Connecticut’s pension funds holding over $40 billion in assets, oversees the state’s debt and cash management, collects and returns unclaimed property, and manages the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), a 529 plan that helps students and families save for higher education.
Russell continues to advocate for people traditionally left out of the political process and denied economic opportunity. He is prioritizing financial literacy, sound fiscal policy and necessary statewide investments that maximize resources while growing the economy and combating systemic inequities.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Russell has embraced the role of mentor, particularly for young Black and LGBTQ people. In 2022, he became the first Black out LGBTQ person in American history to win an election for statewide office.
Russell continues to live in New Haven with his husband, Christopher Lyddy.
Delaware State Treasurer - Colleen Davis
Colleen C. Davis was elected State Treasurer on November 6, 2018. She was sworn into office on January 1, 2019. Colleen has a rich history of working for the First State. She served as the Treasurer for the Delaware Physician Assistant Advocacy Group (DAPA), as a member of the Advisory Board of QuiqMeds and on the Board of Delaware Maritime Education. Formerly she served as Board member & Translational Science Consultant for Forge Life Sciences, Co-Founder & VP of Pivotal Healthcare Consulting, Guest Lecturer for Arcadia & Philadelphia Universities and Christiana Care Emergency Medicine Residency Program. In conjunction with these achievements, Colleen has also served as a financial consultant to large medical institutions, as well as small independent practices across the nation. As such, she has created fiscal stability and improved positive patient outcomes, while saving millions of dollars in overall health care costs.
Colleen believes in a strong community and wants to help the State of Delaware improve its quality of life. She believes in retirement security, equitable healthcare, and economic opportunity for all. Over the years, she has volunteered locally, nationally and internationally. After Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in April 2015, she went to provide medical and disaster relief to people affected near Kathmandu and in the Himalayas.
As Colleen saw the realities of unbalanced health equity play out in areas overwhelmed by natural disaster as well as in her patients’ lives, she knew she wanted to do something impactful about it.
Colleen comes from a family of servants including her grandmother, who served as recording secretary for the NAACP, both her parents who established a workforce development non-profit to prepare young adults for good paying jobs, and siblings who participate in non-profit boards, coach and volunteer locally in a variety of ways. After graduate school, Colleen married her high school beau, Anthony Davis, and they have three growing children. Colleen and Anthony are trying to cultivate a love of service, soccer and surfing in their children through their humanitarian travels throughout the world.
As Treasurer, Colleen is a Bond Issuing Officer, participates on the State Employee Benefits Board, Administers the State Employees Retirement, 529 Education Savings, and ABLE Plans, leads her office on the Delaware Economic & Financial Advisory Council, a member of the Agricultural Preservation Board, serves on the Board of Pardons and in many capacities in service of Delaware. She sees this as an opportunity to ensure everyone is participating in a thriving economy, retiring well and maintaining great healthcare outcomes both physically and financially and her track record is consistent with strong fiscal stewardship of Delaware’s cash reserves with a 300% growth rate, a quadruple AAA rating, first competitive bond sale in years saving $ 15.5 million, Silver rating on 529 Education Plans, and growing participation in DE Deferred Compensation.
Illinois State Treasurer - Michael Frerichs
Mike Frerichs was born and raised in the small farming community of Gifford, Illinois (pop. 975). The son of a Teamster truck driver and a university secretary and AFSCME member, Mike became the first member of his family to graduate from college when he received a degree from Yale University. After college, Mike returned home to run a technology start-up and serve as a volunteer fireman. In 2000, Mike was elected to the Champaign, Illinois County Board and became the Champaign County Auditor in 2002.
In 2007, Mike was sworn in as the State Senator 52nd District, which includes parts of Champaign and Vermilion Counties. In the Legislature, Mike spearheaded efforts to provided financial assistance to farmers and pushed for expanded use of alternative fuels. Mike also fought to reduce disparities in education funding across Illinois.
After heated competitive election in 2015, Mike was sworn in as State Treasurer of Illinois. Mike, a Certified Public Finance Officer, resides in Champaign with his daughter Ella. He was re-elected as State Treasurer in 2018 with broad statewide support.
As the state’s Chief Investment Officer, Mike does more than make wise investments and protect taxpayer dollars, he provides tools to help people invest in themselves.
During his tenure, he has returned more money back to Illinoisans than any other Treasurer in history through the I-Cash program and he has expanded access to higher education by improving the 529 College Savings Program to the top-rated program in the country. Mike has expanded tools like the Secure Choice program that helps seniors retire with dignity. And tools like the ABLE program that will help families plan for loved ones with disabilities.
Mike believes through these tools and smart investing, the Treasurer’s office can help families achieve the American Dream.
Iowa Auditor of State - Rob Sand
Rob Sand is Iowa's 33rd State Auditor. He was elected in 2018 after serving seven years as Iowa's chief public corruption prosecutor in the Iowa Attorney General's Office. There, he led the discovery and prosecution of the largest lottery rigging scheme in American history. He also prosecuted the Iowa Film Office Tax Credit scandal, the only criminal prosecution related to a global Ponzi Scheme, as well as dozens of other financial crimes. He also prosecuted violent crime and nearly two dozen sexually violent predators.
Upon his election, he created a senior leadership team that included a Democrat, Independent, and Republican, with two of the three individuals having made campaign contributions to his opponent's campaign. Since he was sworn in, the Auditor's Office has: added a law enforcement background and perspective to the Office; created a new public innovation and efficiency (PIE) program that helps government entities save substantial amounts of taxpayer dollars; made it possible for employees to take their jobs with them to small towns and rural areas anywhere in the state; stood up against taxpayers getting stuck footing the bill for sexual harassment by public employees; and taken a state department all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court and won a unanimous decision, in order to receive documents related to the single largest financial deal in state history. This is all in addition to continuing the Office's standard financial audits and investigative reports.
Rob was born and raised in Decorah, Iowa. He found a passion for public service in high school, when he worked for two years to build a public skate park. He graduated from Decorah High School in 2001. Rob then attended and graduated from Brown University. There, he built a reputation for being able to work productively with individuals of all political persuasions and was named a Harry S Truman Scholar.
After college, Rob chose to return to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa Law School on a full merit scholarship. He was the first student ever to be both a President of the Iowa Student Bar Association and an Editor-in-Chief of a law journal. He also led a student volunteer effort to commit over 1,000 hours of volunteer labor to cleaning and rebuilding Cedar Rapids after the 2008 floods. Before graduating he was awarded the Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, the University of Iowa’s highest award.
He and his wife Christine live in Des Moines and have two sons.
Maine State Treasurer - Henry Beck
In 2018, Henry Beck was elected by a Joint Convention of the 129th Maine Legislature to the Office of State Treasurer.
Treasurer Beck's government service began when he was elected to represent his neighborhood on the Waterville City Council in 2005. In 2008, he was elected to the Maine House of Representatives during his senior year at Colby College. In the Legislature Beck authored nearly one dozen bipartisan bills that became law on issues from pharmacy audits to infant heart screening to Maine's overdose medicine act. Beck was appointed House Chair of Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services and to serve on the 2011 Commission to Apportion Maine's Congressional Districts.
Beck attended the University of Maine School of Law and graduated on time while serving in the Legislature. As an attorney in private practice, Beck represented Mainers and businesses involved in complex business disputes, serious criminal charges, insurance matters, and tax litigation. In 2018, Beck successfully argued an appeal before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Beck also holds a Certificate of Graduate Study from the Muskie School of Public Service.
Treasurer Beck's family came to central Maine nearly one hundred years ago and started a roofing company that is still operating.
Henry is a leader for Maine's taxpayers, families and businesses. In addition to the core functions of the office including cash management, trust fund administration, unclaimed property and bond sales, Henry is an advocate for Maine before businesses and investors. He believes Maine people should have the ability to earn a decent living through economic growth, great public schools and communities that welcome every person to Maine whether they come from other states or from around the world.
In his first year in office, Henry stood up for the earned pension benefits of Maine's public workers and teachers and is supporting efforts to promote private retirement savings. With legislative support, he pushed through a law to promote ABLE accounts, reforms to modernize state payment systems and new legal protections for health insurance for Maine's firefighters and law enforcement professionals.
Henry believes that elected leaders, especially State Treasurers, should not just live in the moment but look to the future and craft public policy that promotes economic security and opportunity for the next generation.
Maryland Comptroller - Brooke Lierman
It is an honor for Brooke Lierman to serve as Maryland's 34th Comptroller - and she is proud to be the state's first female Chief Fiscal Officer! She is excited to transform the Office of the Comptroller into an innovative, accessible, and more transparent state agency.
As Comptroller, she works with nearly 1,100 employees responsible for collecting taxes and issuing refunds, preventing fraud through their state-of-the-art fraud detection system, approving or denying major state contracts at the Board of Public Works, regulating motor fuels, returning unclaimed property to rightful owners, and helping oversee the state's pension system. In addition, the agency ensures all of Maryland's dedicated state employees are paid accurately and on time.
Lierman's experience as a Civil Rights & Disability Rights attorney, a mother, and a two-term member of the General Assembly and leader on the state's fiscal, transportation, and environmental committees help inform her work and decision-making. Her goal is to be an advocate for the people of Maryland in all that she does. She looks forward to working to reimagine how this agency can build more equitable, resilient, and prosperous communities throughout all of Maryland.
Massachusetts State Treasurer - Deb Goldberg
Deb is a former Selectman in the Town of Brookline where she became its Chair. She has maintained her commitment to local communities and grass roots organizing by serving as a Commissioner on Brookline’s Neighborhood Conservation District Commission, is a Democratic State Committee member and the Democratic National Committee member representing the Democratic Treasurers throughout the country.
Since elected, Deb has redefined the role of Treasurer. Drawing upon her expertise and experience in both the private and public sectors, Deb has promoted fiscal policies and programs to ensure opportunity for all. Her desire to bring commonsense business principles to benefit the public good comes from lessons she learned her entire life.
Deb believes that government has an important role to play in improving people’s lives. Whether in saving taxpayer dollars through smart debt management to ensuring high school students learn how to budget and avoid debt, she has shown she is qualified to manage the business of the Treasurer’s office. The Boston Globe and the Boston Business Journal have both recognized her for her achievements.
Deb is a graduate of Boston University, Boston College Law School and Harvard Business School, and lives in Brookline with her husband Michael Winter and their son, Evan and daughter, Meredith.
Deb launched the Office of Economic Empowerment, the first-of-its-kind in the country, created to tackle issues such as unequal wages, college savings and financial literacy in Massachusetts.
Wage Equality
When Deb talks about creating a level playing field, she knows where to begin. Wage equality. This is not just a women’s issue. It is a family issue and an economic issue for everyone in our state. Whether it’s in the public sector, nonprofit world or private businesses – workplaces that have equal pay, family friendly human resource policies and are diverse, are more innovative, creative and more financially successful.
College Savings
Deb created a college savings plan called SeedMA for kindergarteners at no cost to taxpayers. Research shows that a kid with a college savings plan is seven times more likely to go to college. Deb’s program also supports vocational and technical training. Providing a skilled workforce will also help to keep companies growing and staying in Massachusetts, which helps our local economy and enables people to thrive. In her second term, Deb plans to expand this program to all Kindergarten students across the Commonwealth through the same type of public-private partnerships that have made the program so successful.
Financial Literacy
Deb convened a state-wide financial literacy task force of 32 experts from all over the state. By expanding the Financial Literacy Trust Fund and working collaboratively with the private sector, she and her team have already instituted 19 of its 22 recommendations, resulting in a robust, state-wide financial literacy program. She will continue to make sure that people never again fall victim to a sub-prime mortgage crisis or go into serious debt to pay for college.
Minnesota State Auditor - Julie Blaha
Julie Blaha is Minnesota’s 19th State Auditor. She was sworn in on January 7th, 2019 and in her inaugural address pledged to protect the high standards Minnesota is known for in government operation and finances. Blaha knows that when neighbors have clear, quality, focused information, they can find solutions that directly improve the lives of Minnesotans.
Minnesota’s state auditor oversees approximately $60 billion in local spending, helping to analyze how that money is being spent and with what kinds of results. She educates local leaders with the training, data, and analysis they need to make the best, most informed decisions in communities across our state. And she represents Minnesotans on boards that deal with issues like investments, economic development, housing, and pensions.
Before her election to this office, Julie Blaha served as a middle school math teacher in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, was past president of Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota, and was the first woman elected secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
Blaha grew up in Nowthen, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.A. in elementary education and earned her masters degree in education from St. Mary’s University. Blaha lives with her husband Roger in Ramsey and enjoys spending time with her family, including her four grandchildren.
Nevada State Treasurer - Zach Conine
Zach Conine currently serves as Nevada’s 23rd State Treasurer. As an entrepreneur and business leader, Zach knows that responsible financial management is the key to ensuring long-term growth for the State.
Zach has worked to increase the role of the Treasurer’s Office, advocating for sound fiscal policies that will empower workers, diversify the economy, and increase access to higher education for all Nevadans.
Prior to serving as State Treasurer, Zach built a successful business career in the gaming, finance and consulting sectors. Over the course of his career, Zach has been committed to creating economic opportunities for local businesses and working families. As co-founder of a consulting business, he has helped dozens of small and medium sized businesses expand, assisting in the creation and preservation of more than 3,000 good paying jobs in Nevada.
Zach graduated with a B.A. from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and holds a J.D. from the from UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law. He and his wife Layke are happily raising their six-year-old daughter Ruby, two-year old twin sons Rutherford and Theodore, and two dogs, Democracy and Liberty.
Since being elected in 2018, Zach has worked to establish himself and his Office as a trusted source of innovation in government.
Strengthening the Economy
In his first year as Treasurer, Nevada has received two bond rating increases, the first since 2006; generated the highest investment returns for the State since the recession of 2008; and returned the largest amount of unclaimed property back to Nevadans since the inception of the State’s Unclaimed Property Program.
College Access and Affordability
Zach is also committed to ensuring that every Nevadan has the opportunity to plan, save, and pay for post-secondary education. He worked to establish College Savings Navigator Initiative, modeled after the Affordable Care Act, which is helping underserved communities navigate and understand their options for pursuing higher education affordably.
Marijuana Banking
Zach is also launching a first-in-the-nation pilot program to help bank the State’s legal marijuana industry. As the federal prohibition over marijuana has left small businesses and their employees under banked, Zach has stepped up to find innovative ways to increase public safety, while allowing the industry to grow and thrive.
New Mexico State Treasurer - Laura Montoya
Treasurer Laura M. Montoya was sworn into office on January 1, 2023 as the first female New Mexico State Treasurer and the first Latina in this country’s history. Laura was born, raised and educated in Northern New Mexico.
Treasurer Montoya has served New Mexico for more than two decades at the federal, state, tribal and local government. Montoya served under US Senator Jeff Bingaman as a Constituent Services Representative, in several capacities at the New Mexico Legislature, served under the leadership of Treasurer Douglas M. Brown and assisted with the transition to Treasurer James B. Lewis.
Treasurer Montoya was the elected, two-term Sandoval County Treasurer. With her leadership, internal controls and policies were developed that earned several clean audits and a 99.37% tax collection rate for the ten years charged to the Treasurer. Montoya served as the Legislative Chairwoman for eight years. In that capacity, the Treasurers Affiliate worked on the passage of over 20 pieces of legislation that removed tax loopholes; effected efficiency of tax collections; equitability of property taxes; assisted our Veterans, Seniors and New Mexicans with disabilities; and expanded the permissibility of investments in New Mexico for Class A counties and municipalities within Class A Counties.
Treasurer Montoya also served as the Vice Chair of Finance, Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs and Chair of the Next Generation Young Elected Officials with the National Association of Counties, the only Treasurer on the NM Tax Policy committee, a board member on New Mexico Counties.
Treasurer Montoya earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology with a minor in Sociology and her master’s degree in Public Affairs from New Mexico Highlands University. Through a competitive process, Montoya became the 2003 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and studied International Relations at the University of Costa Rica. Montoya has earned her Certified Treasury Official, Certified Public Official and Certified Public Manager along with over 600 credit hours in finance, investments, treasury, market outlook and leadership. Montoya teaches finance and treasury classes to county and city employees and elected officials as well as union members.
Treasurer is the daughter of Councilman Michael L. Montoya and Geralyn B. Montoya of Las Vegas, NM.
Oregon State Treasurer - Tobias Read
Tobias Read knows that financial empowerment, wise investments, and sound management are foundational to the quality of life and economic opportunities for Oregonians, and key for the long-term vitality of our state. As State Treasurer he has been implementing the first in the nation state based retirement savings program, OregonSaves, to help put more Oregonians on the path to a secure financial future.
The Treasurer sits on the Oregon Investment Council and State Land Board, and oversees public investing, banking, bonding and financial empowerment programs. Those include the Oregon College Savings Plan and the ABLE savings plan, which allow families to save for higher education, job training and disability-related expenses.
Tobias earned his bachelor’s degree from Willamette University and his MBA from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. He lives in Beaverton with his wife, Heidi Eggert, and their two children.
As Treasurer, Tobias Read has focused on giving Oregonians the tools they need to save for college and retirement, along with protecting the long-term returns for public employees.
OregonSaves
Tobias lead the passage and implementation of a first of its kind program to help workers save for retirement. OregonSaves is an opt-out automatic enrollment plan for employees who do not have access to retirement plans through their employers. Since it’s roll out in 2017 nearly 56,000 accounts have been funded and over $40 million has been saved.
College Savings Plan
Tobias is committed to ensuring every Oregon kid has a path to education after high school. In 2019 Tobias worked with the Oregon Legislature to pass the Education Savings Credit which will make it easier for low-to-moderate income families to save for education after high school. Additionally Tobias piloted the BabyGrad program which invests $25 into a college savings account opened in a child’s first year because Tobias knows the best investment we can make is in our children’s educational future.
Environment, Social & Governance
Tobias is a leading voice on how environment, social & governance factors should impact the investment decisions of institutional investors. He hired the first ESG officer at Oregon State Treasury who is responsible for assembling and analyzing ESG material data and leading efforts to ensure action is taken to enhance long-term returns and bolster sustainable investments throughout the portfolio.
Rhode Island State Treasurer - James Diossa
James A. Diossa was elected Rhode Island General Treasurer in November 2022 and sworn in on January 3, 2023. Treasurer Diossa is committed to serving as a responsible and active steward, protecting the livelihoods of our current and future pensioners, and promoting economic growth by expanding opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through thoughtful, transparent, and equity-focused leadership.
Throughout his years in public service, Treasurer Diossa demonstrated his commitment to giving residents the tools and opportunities for creating sustainable wealth. This commitment continues by making information readily available - and easy to access - to current and future pensioners as well as the general public and providing assistance to municipal governments requiring pension-related guidance. In addition, he is a key champion for expanded financial literacy in our schools to further help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency.
Raised and educated in Central Falls, Rhode Island, Treasurer Diossa served as a member of the City Council and Mayor of Central Falls, becoming the youngest mayor to date in our state’s long history. During his tenure as mayor, he helped Central Falls recover from the effects of bankruptcy and prior years of mismanagement. After completing two terms as mayor, he went on to serve as a Senior Advisor at Brown University’s Policy Lab. Treasurer Diossa is a graduate of Becker College. He lives in Pawtucket with his fiancée, Sandra Cano, their daughter, Arianna, and their newborn son, Alessandro.
Vermont State Treasurer - Mike Pieciak
Michael S. Pieciak was inaugurated as Vermont’s 31st State Treasurer in January 2023.
Mike previously served six years as the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) where he was first appointed by Governor Peter Shumlin in 2016 and reappointed by Governor Phil Scott in 2017.
Mike also served as deputy commissioner of DFR’s Securities Division, where he led the division’s investigation into the Jay Peak EB-5 projects. While at DFR, Mike served as the president of the North American Securities Administrators Association, a member of the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies and member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Prior to his public service, Mike practiced law in New York City at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group, gaining experience in commercial transactions, corporate governance and investment and financing transactions. Mike also previously practiced at Downs Rachlin Martin in Burlington in the Business Law Group.
Mike grew up in Brattleboro and graduated cum laude from Union College with a degree in political science. He received his law degree summa cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the “Miami Law Review.” Mike currently resides in Winooski, Vermont with his partner Will and English Setter Jetty.
Washington State Treasurer - Mike Pellicciotti
Mike began his public service in 2005 as a King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, where he prosecuted domestic violence and sex trafficking. Later as an Assistant Attorney General, Mike managed statewide efforts to protect seniors and to combat complex financial health care fraud, returning over $30 million dollars to taxpayers. As State Representative, he has led bills to ensure that Sound Transit taxpayers only pay taxes on the accurate value of their property.
Mike studied business administration in college, before being selected as a United States Fulbright Scholar who studied economic development. After obtaining his masters degree, he then graduated from Gonzaga Law School. While in law school, he was a national leader to reduce student loan debt for those in public service and later served on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association and the Board of Regents of Gonzaga University.
A Federal Way homeowner, Mike served on the Federal Way Human Services Commission for three years, supporting local non-profits that serve our most vulnerable. He has also served as the Chair of the Washington Equal Justice Coalition, advocating for workers' rights, protecting Washingtonians from predatory loans, and ensuring that veterans receive their full financial benefits.
Wisconsin Secretary of State - Sarah Godlewski
Sarah Godlewski is a finance expert and former small business owner from Eau Claire, WI who serves as Wisconsin’s Secretary of State. Prior to this, she served as Wisconsin’s State Treasurer from 2019-2023.
As part of her duties as Secretary of State, she sits on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) and was recently elected to serve as Chair. Sarah also held this role during her time in the Treasurer’s office. As Chair, she leads this $1.3 billion state trust fund that invests in communities across Wisconsin. Sarah believes a stable financial future is crucial to the well-being of Wisconsinites, and is fighting to make sure the state is making smart investments that will provide strong returns for the state. One of the first things she tackled in her first term as Chair was a gag order on climate change when making investment decisions. Now the office examines how climate change would impact potential investments. As Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, she is prioritizing Wisconsin entrepreneurs and Wisconsin businesses. The BCPL is using these profits to invest in communities, build bridges, buy fire trucks, and recover from environmental disasters. Sarah is supporting smart investments that are prudently managed and helping Wisconsinites.
During her tenure in the State Treasurer’s office, Sarah worked to provide transparency and oversight of taxpayer dollars. In March 2020, Sarah formed a coalition of local treasurers and community partners to improve homeownership in Wisconsin, aiming to help people buy, maintain, and stay in their homes. In the wake of the pandemic, this Treasurer’s Homeowners Task Force created an early-response system to help people avoid delinquency and ultimately foreclosure, knowing that it is more important than ever that Wisconsinites can stay safe in their homes. Additionally, Sarah chaired the bipartisan Retirement Security Task Force and developed innovative and cost-effective ways to ensure Wisconsinites can retire with peace of mind. Through listening sessions with retirees, small business owners, and workers, the Task Force developed plans for a child savings program, named 401(K)ids. This program would not only work to address the wealth gap and help families save, but it would also be a simple, impactful retirement program for Wisconsin small businesses that would address retirement access for almost one million Wisconsinites.
Before holding elected office, Sarah worked in the private sector as an impact investment expert. After leading a successful ballot referendum to save the Office of the State Treasurer from being eliminated, she ran to bring back fiscal accountability and transparency to the office. Sarah is a fifth-generation Wisconsinite, and when she’s not working she loves to spend time with her husband Max, their son Hartley, and their rescue dog Tanner.
Selected City and County Officials
New York City Comptroller - Brad Lander
Brad Lander was elected to serve as our city’s budget watchdog and chief accountability officer on November 2nd, 2021. Lander’s background in community organizing and urban planning informs his work to make government work better for all New Yorkers. First elected to the City Council in 2009, Lander co-founded the Council’s Progressive Caucus and has a strong track record of partnering with community advocates to win transformative change for a more just and equitable city.
In the City Council, Lander spearheaded efforts to protect workers and build a more equitable economy, working closely with labor advocates to win groundbreaking laws to end unfair firings and establish a fair work week for fast food workers, protect freelancers from wage theft, ban discriminatory credit checks for employment, and guarantee a living wage for app-based drivers and delivery workers.
Lander’s hard-hitting reports and campaigns have led to better bus service, air-conditioning for all NYC school classrooms, and restored hundreds of millions of dollars for affordable housing. He helped lead a successful grassroots effort to desegregate the middle-schools of Community School District 15 (which serves students from Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Red Hook, and Sunset Park) and partnered with advocates and legislators to combat discriminatory stop-and-frisk policing.
A longtime champion of more inclusive and transparent government, Lander helped bring participatory budgeting to NYC to give residents a voice in how city government invests in their neighborhoods. Throughout his work, Lander has taken an innovative, data-driven, and collaborative approach to tackling some of NYC’s biggest challenges, from reckless driving to infrastructure investments.
Lander was one of the founders of Local Progress, now a 1000-member strong network of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. Prior to holding public office, Lander spent 15 years in the nonprofit sector as the director of the Fifth Avenue Committee and the Pratt Center for Community Development. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Meg Barnette, President and CEO of NonProfit New York, and their children, Marek and Rosa.
Coconino County (AZ) Treasurer - Sarah Benatar
Sarah Benatar has been serving as Coconino County Treasurer since 2014, becoming the youngest County Treasurer in the State of Arizona.
Sarah dedicates herself to ensuring a better community for all citizens of Coconino County. As Treasurer, she focuses on ensuring taxpayer dollars are accounted for through strong fiscal responsibility, while maintaining a customer service oriented office. Since coming to office, she has received national recognition for innovation and efficiency in government finance and treasury management, speaking nationally with organizations such as Governing and being featured in white papers regarding financial best practices.
She proudly advocates for her community as the President of the Arizona County Treasurer’s Association and as 2nd Vice President of the Arizona Association of Counties (AACo). She is a voice for rural communities, advocating for her constituents by serving on the board of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), and as president of the National Association of Hispanic County Elected Officials (NAHCO). Sarah is an experienced professional in the public sector, having worked for United Way of Northern Arizona, the National Park Service, NASA, and DNA People’s Legal Services.
She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan. She is the only Treasurer in the state that holds the Certified Government Investment Professional (CGIP) certification. Additionally, she has completed legal coursework at the University of Oregon and holds a certificate in public finance from the University of Missouri.
When not serving her community as Treasurer or volunteering with local nonprofits, Sarah can be found spending time with her family. She is the proud mother of a two year old daughter and a Bichon Frise.
Alameda County (CA) Treasurer - Hank Levy
Henry “Hank” Levy has been serving the people of Alameda County as Treasurer since 2017 with experienced, responsible oversight over:
Tax Collection throughout Alameda County.
Selling delinquent properties and, where appropriate, developing them into affordable housing and open space, or public use.
Banking and Investment of a portfolio of County and School District funds over $7 Billion.
Directing the County’s elective supplemental deferred compensation program for County employees
Serving as an Ex-officio trustee on the Alameda County Retirement System (ACERA).
Serving as a Member of the Alameda County Finance Committee, which oversees bond issuance and other County financial matters.
Prior to serving as Alameda County Treasurer, Hank owned an Alameda County-based accounting firm specializing in tax compliance and planning, small business accounting, non-profit & labor union accounting work, litigation support, and forensic investigations.
Hank is an accredited community college instructor who has taught accounting, employee benefits, and economics at San Francisco Community College, Laney College, and San Francisco State University, as well as teaching through the UC Labor Center and Haas School of Business. He is a current Board Member of nonprofits Pogo Park and Senior Medi-Benefits, previously served on the Alameda County Assessment Appeals Board, and taught income tax for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
Oakland County (MI) Treasurer - Robert Wittenberg
Before assuming office as Treasurer on July 1, 2021, Robert served three terms as state representative for seven Oakland County communities that comprise Michigan's 27th House District. At the State Capitol, he was the Vice-Chair on the House Financial Liability Reform Committee and a member of the House Tax Policy Committee and House Financial Services Committee. Robert was always up to the challenge in Lansing, taking on big issues such as pushing for tax fairness in Michigan and creating a new state retirement savings program.
Prior to a career in public service, Robert worked as a licensed life and health insurance agent, helping thousands of businesses and individuals navigate their health and life insurance and employee benefits.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business. He and his wife, Kimberly, live in Huntington Woods with their two energetic young children.