Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ is representing the state on the national stage this week as more than 700 public‑finance leaders gather in downtown Oklahoma City for the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) Symposium, hosted at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.
This year’s symposium places Oklahoma at the center of the national conversation on financial stewardship, innovation in state treasury management, and programs that help families build brighter futures. Attendees include leaders in public finance, college and disability savings, unclaimed property, financial education, investment management, and taxpayer accountability.
In his welcome remarks, Treasurer Russ highlighted Oklahoma’s momentum, opening with a message of pride, purpose, and progress:
“We are Oklahoma, a state that believes innovation is not optional. It’s expected, we are proving what’s possible when a treasury leads with purpose.”
Treasurer Russ underscored several major achievements from the past year, including:
- Three credit rating upgrades earned through disciplined financial management, long‑term planning, and transparent stewardship.
- SEED Oklahoma, the pioneering Child Development Account initiative that helped spark a national movement in children’s savings and financial empowerment.
- A full modernization of the Unclaimed Property Division, improving access, increasing claims, and reuniting more Oklahomans with their money.
- The launch of Oklahoma’s new statewide cash management system, replacing more than 50 legacy platforms with a single modern, secure, streamlined tool for better data, service, and accountability.
Treasurer Russ also emphasized the connection between Oklahoma’s success and its people, noting the state’s diverse communities, growing industries, and continued status as the 9th fastest-growing state in the nation.
“With the diversity of our people and our industries, Oklahoma is showing the country what strong, forward‑focused states can achieve,” Treasurer Russ said.
As part of the symposium, Treasurer Russ will help lead a national discussion on improving college and career readiness. The session will focus on strategies to expand college savings opportunities, strengthen financial literacy, and equip young people with a stronger financial foundation, priorities that align closely with Oklahoma’s broader efforts to improve educational outcomes.
“Our work is not always visible,” Treasurer Russ told attendees. “But when we do it well, families thrive. Businesses grow. States prosper. Futures change.”
The symposium’s 700 attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand how Oklahoma is advancing innovation in public finance, from modernization initiatives to education-focused savings programs, while experiencing the state’s hospitality and economic vibrancy.
“As a national community of treasurers, we are shaping a stronger, smarter, more financially empowered America,” Treasurer Russ said. “And in Oklahoma, we lead with pride. We lead with purpose.”
