In 2014 Deb Goldberg ran for State Treasurer to give every woman, every man and every family the financial power and skills they need to get ahead in today’s tough economy. Economic empowerment, economic security, and economic stability have been her personal mission and inspire her in everything she does.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.
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.
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.
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.
Deb has leveraged the Treasurer’s office and the pension fund to fight for greater diversity on corporate boards and executive positions. It has been proven that corporations that have more women, people of color, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ community are more innovative, creative, and very importantly more profitable. Deb knows from her private sector experience that companies that invest in their people and reflect the vibrancy of our communities, are far more successful, resulting in a better economy for everyone.
Deb has lead by example having the most diverse office in state government. She will continue to find ways for the Treasurer’s office to promote diversity and equal opportunity both in government and the private sector.
Deb believes that sound corporate governance practices not only play a significant role in maximizing investment returns for our pension fund, but also have a profound cultural and societal impact. As the Chairwoman of the Commonwealth’s PRIM Board, Deb has become a national leader in utilizing the power and leverage of our public pension funds to effectuate change.
Study after study demonstrated that Shareholder Engagement leads to better corporate policies, more sustainable business practices, and greater transparency and accountability. When utilized effectively, Shareholder Engagement can be a powerful tool to engage corporations on the environmental and social impacts of their operations, from climate change, to human rights and labor, wage equality, and access to affordable health care.
Deb supports the growing view among investment professionals that sustainability or environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors can create risks to portfolio investments. These factors can and should be weighed when making investment decisions in order to ensure sustainable long-term success of our public pension system.
Deb has lead by example having the most diverse office in state government. She will continue to find ways for the Treasurer’s office to promote diversity and equal opportunity both in government and the private sector.