Fiona Ma

Fiona Ma is a former American politician and accountant who served as a member of the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012, representing California's 12th Assembly District. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held various significant positions in California's government, including serving as the 34th State Treasurer of California since 2019. Ma is notable for being the first Asian American woman to hold the position of Speaker pro Tempore in the California Assembly. Throughout her career, she has focused on issues related to public safety, environmental policy, and affordable housing.

Early life and career

Fiona Ma was born on March 4, 1966, in New York City, New York. She is the eldest of three children in a family of Chinese immigrants. Her father, William Ma, worked as a mechanical engineer, while her mother, Sophia Ma, was a high school art teacher for two decades. Ma's educational journey began in New York, where she attended Baker Elementary School and graduated from Great Neck North Middle and High Schools.

Following her primary and secondary education, Ma pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She furthered her studies by obtaining a Master of Science in taxation from Golden Gate University and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Additionally, she is a certified public accountant (CPA), which has informed her professional career in finance and public service.

Ma's career in public service began in 1995 when she was appointed to the Assessment Appeals Board of San Francisco by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. In the same year, she also served as a part-time district representative for then-State Senator John Burton, a role she maintained until her election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2002.

Legislative service

Fiona Ma was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she served from 2002 to 2006, representing District 4. During her tenure, she focused on various legislative initiatives, including efforts to combat human trafficking linked to massage parlors and advocating for the prohibition of certain harmful chemicals in children's toys. Her work in this area culminated in the passage of an ordinance aimed at banning the manufacture, sale, or distribution of toys and child-care articles containing bisphenol-A and other specified chemicals.

In November 2006, Ma transitioned to the California State Assembly, where she represented the 12th Assembly District until November 2012. Her election campaign was marked by significant financial investment, and she won the Democratic nomination against Janet Reilly in the state primary election. Once in office, Ma was appointed as Assembly majority whip, a position she held for four years, demonstrating her leadership within the Assembly.

In 2010, she was appointed by Speaker John Pérez to serve as Speaker pro Tempore, the second-highest position in the California Assembly, where she continued to influence legislative priorities. Throughout her time in the Assembly, Ma remained committed to her advocacy for children's safety, successfully writing legislation that addressed the presence of harmful chemicals in products for infants and young children. This legislation was later integrated into the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Policy focus and district

During her legislative career, Ma's policy focus encompassed a range of issues, including public health, environmental sustainability, and housing affordability. Her advocacy for children's safety was a consistent theme, as she sought to protect young consumers from hazardous materials in toys and childcare products.

After her tenure in the Assembly, Ma was elected to the California Board of Equalization in November 2014, where she represented District 2. She secured a significant majority of the votes in this election and was subsequently selected as chair of the Board in February 2016. In this role, she initiated several external audits of the agency, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability.

In 2018, Ma announced her candidacy for California State Treasurer, a position she won after finishing first in the nonpartisan open primary and defeating her Republican opponent in the general election. She was sworn in on January 7, 2019, making history as the first woman of color to hold this office.

As State Treasurer, Ma's responsibilities included overseeing California's bond issuance and managing state investments. Under her leadership, California's financial management received upgrades from credit rating agencies, reflecting improved fiscal practices. Her office managed a substantial portfolio, including billions in bonds and short-term investments.

Ma also prioritized environmental initiatives during her tenure as Treasurer. She chaired the California Green Bond Market Development Committee, which aimed to establish standards for green bonds and integrate them into state infrastructure financing. Additionally, she launched programs to support energy efficiency improvements for small businesses and affordable housing, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and economic development.

Furthermore, Ma's office was involved in overseeing private activity bonds and state housing tax credits, which are essential for the construction and maintenance of low-income housing. Her administration facilitated significant financial transactions that contributed to the affordability of housing in California.

In summary, Fiona Ma's career has been marked by her dedication to public service, financial management, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. Her legislative and executive roles have allowed her to influence various policies that impact the lives of Californians, particularly in areas related to health, safety, and housing. As she continues her political journey, including her recent announcements regarding future electoral ambitions, her contributions to California's governance remain significant.