Rosie Rios

As the 43rd Treasurer of the United States, Rosie Rios led a historic initiative to place women on US currency for the first time in over a century. From the redesign of the $10 bill to the launch of quarters commemorating American women, her push was systemic. Rios’ advocacy led Congress to pass legislation in 2020 ensuring that the faces of women would appear on US quarters through America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Today, Rosie Rios chairs America 250, the Congressional Commission responsible for orchestrating the US’ semiquincentennial. Rios took office in 2009 at the height of the financial crisis, joining President Obama’s Treasury/Federal Reserve Transition Team after a career in real estate investment and urban revitalisation. Her tenure spanned two administrations and multiple economic shocks, including the pandemic economy of 2020, where she was called back to serve on the transition team. Rosie Rios remains the longest-serving Senate-confirmed Treasurer in US history.

At the Treasury, Rios was responsible for overseeing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the US Mint. Within five years, she slashed costs by more than $1 billion while simultaneously boosting employee morale and production efficiency. Upon her resignation in 2016, Rosie Rios received the Hamilton Award, the Treasury Department’s highest honour.

A Harvard graduate and former Managing Director at MacFarlane Partners, Rios blends financial acumen with a commitment to equity. She is the founder of EMPOWERMENT 2026, a nonprofit that uses augmented reality and classroom programming to elevate the stories of underrecognised American women. One of its flagship initiatives, Notable Women, developed with Google’s Creative Lab, brings historical figures into classrooms through immersive tech.

In 2025, Rosie Rios received the Green Sands Prize for Public Service, recognising her work in shaping America’s financial and cultural landscape. Rios is a rare unifying figure trusted across administrations and respected across industries. She believes that visibility and representation are not gestures but foundations for national progress.