Treasurer Erick Russell was sworn in as Connecticut’s 84th State Treasurer on January 4, 2023. He is currently serving his first term. As Treasurer, he administers Connecticut’s pension funds, 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. One of the premier accomplishments of his first term has been the funding and launching of the nation’s first statewide Baby Bonds initiative. Treasurer Russell previously worked for the Connecticut law firm of Pullman & Comley, where he was a partner in the firm’s Public and Private Finance Group. He represented towns, cities, and the state in financing infrastructure projects, managing debt, and restructuring pension obligations. In that work, he 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. Born and raised in New Haven, he was the first in his family to graduate college, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven and a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Treasurer Russell continues to advocate for people traditionally left out of the political process and denied economic opportunity. He 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 be elected to statewide office.