New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya

STATE News:

• • • • • New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya joins forces with New Mexico’s finance leaders to cultivate their successors by linking higher education credentials to top jobs in state government finance.

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office is launching its ‘Cultivating the Next Wave of New Mexico’s Financial Leaders’ workshop to spotlight the growing demand for public finance curriculum in New Mexico’s higher education institutions. In collaboration with the University of New Mexico (UNM) and New Mexico State University (NMSU), the event will emphasize the critical role public finance education maintains in managing state assets, supporting public pension systems, and preparing New Mexico students for careers that build communities and grow New Mexico’s wealth.

New Mexico boasts the second largest sovereign wealth fund in the United States and the 29th largest globally, with total assets valued at $71 billion, with projections that the fund will exceed $110 billion by 2036. State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya sits on 13 boards, councils, and commissions that manage more than $160 billion in public funds used for retirement, housing, and more. Despite the rapid growth of public assets, pension boards and government finance agencies report staffing shortages among the auditors, budget analysts, and investment professionals needed to manage them responsibly and with minimal risk. Rather than outsourcing talent from beyond the state to manage these assets, New Mexico has untapped potential to facilitate career pathways to encourage and train students to fill these critical roles and stall the state’s chronic ‘brain drain’ epidemic. This event will demonstrate to higher education students and faculty that public finance education can boost enrollment at New Mexico schools, and the resulting careers are prestigious, mission-driven, and essential to the welfare of New Mexico’s economic stability.

“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for New Mexico to take the reins on its fiscal future,” Treasurer Montoya said. “By investing in financial education, we are creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation of homegrown public finance leaders who will continue building a resilient economy by New Mexicans, for New Mexicans. I am excited that our state’s flagship institutions and financial leaders are supporting our vision to take New Mexico’s financial strength into our own hands by way of specialized financial education.”

The State Treasurer’s “Cultivating the Next Wave of New Mexico’s Financial Leaders” event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, April 20.

Hosted by Treasurer Montoya, featured presenters include:

• Dr. Reilly S. White, PhD – UNM Dean of Teaching and Learning and Associate Professor of Finance at the Anderson School of Management
• Dr. Harikumar Sankaran, PhD – NMSU Finance Department Head and Professor
• Bryan Ashenbaum – Dean, NMSU
• Dylan K. Lange – Director, State Personnel Office
• David Archuleta – Executive Director, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board
• Greg Trujillo – Executive Director, Public Employees Retirement Association
• Michael Shackelford – Chief Investment Officer, Public Employees Retirement Association
• Jon Clark – State Investment Officer, State Investment Council
• Dawn Iglesias – Chief Investment Operations Officer, State Investment Council
• Greg Dunn – Director of Public Equity, State Investment Council
• Marquita Russel – Chief Executive Officer, New Mexico Finance Authority

Discussion topics include internships, Baby Bond policy, portfolio management, public leadership, curriculum innovation, internship pilot, workforce pipelines, pension funds, state funds, and New Mexico’s sovereign wealth fund. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Capacity is limited to 100 attendees.

To register for the event, please contact outreach@sto.nm.gov.