California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, spoke to a standing-room-only crowd at the Sunstone Stage on Jan. 16 to launch the 2026 version of the P3 Strategy Series and Sunstone Connects.
The child of Chinese immigrants, Treasurer Ma’s story resonated with Sunstone and American Lending Center founder John Shen and many others in the room. In his introduction, Shen called her “a great role model for the Chinese-American and Asian-American communities.”
Treasurer Ma garnered smiles and nods telling of her journey as a young accountant at Ernst and Whinney (predecessor of Ernst and Young) to starting her own accounting business to more than two decades of successful political campaigns, from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to her current statewide office.
Treasurer Ma acts as the state’s banker in her current role. Her office handles more than $3 trillion a year as she oversees the world’s fourth largest economy. And she’s a big California booster.
“We’re the fourth largest economy in the world because there are more than 200 different languages spoken here – and they are here chasing their dreams,” Treasurer Ma said. “We’re all in this together… 2025 was a bit of a tumultuous time. But we, the state, continued to actively support and promote business.”
Treasurer Ma urged the founders, business owners and investors in the room to go to the state treasurer’s website to find resources for different needs, from fire victim resources to manufacturing and clean energy incentives. She said her office has prepared resource guides for many different situations.
“Bottom line, if you need or want money, please call me!” Treasurer Ma said. “I hope we can become the world’s third-largest economy soon.”
During the fireside chat portion of the afternoon with Sunstone CEO John Keisler, Treasurer Ma said her passion for public service continues, even though she is starting her eighth as state treasurer – her last, due to term limits for statewide elected officials. To continue to serve, she has launched a campaign to be the next California Lieutenant Governor.
For more information about programs at the state treasurer’s office go to www.treasurer.ca.gov. For more about Fiona Ma’s campaign, go to fionama.com.
Next on the P3 Strategy Series calendar at noon on Friday, January 30th is an Economic Development 101 Seminar with Gurbax Sahota at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy in Los Angeles. RSVP at registration. For more information, contact Ryan Phong at Ryan.Phong@SunstoneCities.com.
About Sunstone Cities
Sunstone Cities is an economic development consulting firm that helps local government leaders unlock economic development, new business formation, and job growth. Data-driven insights, industry expertise and public-private partnerships help cities revitalize economies, attract businesses and better monetize community assets. Visit www.sunstonecities.com to learn more or contact jayro.sandoval@sunstonecities.com .
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