Rosie Rios VALUEx BRK 2024

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Rosie Rios: A Trailblazer in American Finance

Introduction:

Rosa "Rosie" Gumataotao Rios is a distinguished leader in finance and public service, renowned for her groundbreaking contributions as the 43rd Treasurer of the United States. She is celebrated for her efforts to place a woman's portrait on the front of U.S. currency for the first time in over a century, a move that underscores her commitment to gender equality and historical recognition.

Early Life and Education:

Rosie Rios was born on July 17, 1965, in Hayward, California. She graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Government. At Harvard, she was a trailblazer, becoming the first Latina in the university’s 382-year history to have a portrait commissioned in her honor.

Career Highlights:

Rios served as the 43rd Treasurer of the United States from 2009 to 2016. She was the longest-serving Senate-confirmed official in the Treasury, beginning her tenure during the financial crisis as part of the Treasury/Federal Reserve Transition Team. As Treasurer, she was the CEO of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the U.S. Mint, including Fort Knox. She managed the production of currency and coins, overseeing nearly 4,000 employees across eight facilities with an annual budget of approximately $5 billion. Her innovative leadership saved over $1 billion in her first five years, meeting increased production demands while boosting employee morale to record levels. Her signature appears on $1.5 trillion of the $1.6 trillion in circulation worldwide.

Post-Treasury Initiatives:

After her tenure at the Treasury, Rios became the CEO of Red River Associates, a real estate consulting firm. She recently completed a term as a Visiting Scholar at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. She continues to influence the fields of real estate finance, economic development, and urban revitalization, consulting on transformational projects in the Bay Area under her "RESCUE" initiative: Real Estate for Socially Conscious Urban Empowerment.

Real Estate and Urban Revitalization:

Rios's career has been marked by significant roles in real estate finance and urban revitalization. Prior to her role at the Treasury, she was the Managing Director of Investments for MacFarlane Partners, a $22 billion real estate investment management firm. She also served as the Director of Economic Development and/or Redevelopment for several cities in California, including Oakland, Fremont, San Leandro, and Union City.

Honors and Recognition:

Rios received the Hamilton Award, the highest honor in the U.S. Department of the Treasury, upon her resignation in 2016. She serves on the board of Fidelity Charitable Trust and the Schlesinger Council at Harvard. In 2018, she was appointed to America 250, a Congressional Commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding in 2026, where she serves on the Executive Committee.

Personal Initiatives:

Rios’s passion for historical recognition and education is evident through her initiatives like EMPOWERMENT 2020, which aims to honor historical American women. The first project, Teachers Righting History, promotes the recognition of these women in classrooms nationwide. She is also launching Notable Women, an Augmented Reality educational initiative in collaboration with Google.

nspirational

Trailblazer

Financial Leader

Historical Change

Groundbreaking

Empowerment

Treasury Legacy

Innovation

Economic Development

Visionary

Currency Redesign

Real Estate Expert

Gender Equality

Public Service Hero

Motivational

Resilient Leadership

Iconic Achievements

Impactful Story

Remarkable Journey

Legacy of Excellence

Women in Finance

Unprecedented

Celebrated Leader

Game Changer

Transformational

Influential

Historical Firsts

National Recognition

Leadership Excellence

Pioneering Efforts