2025 State-Facilitated Retirement Savings Program Network (SRSPN)
Annual Conference

2025 Distinguished State Leader Awards

Mike Pieciak
Treasurer
Vermont

Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak is a recipient of the 2025 Distinguished State Leader Award for his making the new Vermont Saves auto-IRA program one of his first legislative priorities and achievements upon assuming office in January 2023. The program was enacted with significant support and opened to all eligible employers in December 2024.

Mike Pieciak was inaugurated as Vermont’s 31st State Treasurer in January 2023, focusing his tenure on financial equity and rebuilding the middle class. One of his key achievements was championing the “Vermont Saves” program, providing over 80,000 Vermonters access to a retirement plan. He also expanded the “10% in Vermont” program and prioritized housing development, announcing $55.5 million in low-interest housing loans which are expected to help construct more than 1,100 housing units across the state.

In 2024, Mike led efforts to establish the “Vermont Baby Bonds” program, aimed at helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds build wealth and secure their financial futures. His office is currently developing a pilot program to explore its broader implementation. Prior to serving as Treasurer, Mike was the commissioner of Vermont’s Department of Financial Regulation, where he played a vital role in the state’s pandemic response. Originally from Brattleboro, Mike now lives in Winooski with his husband Will and their English Setter, Jetty.

2025 Best of the State Spotlight Awards

Executive Director
Illinois Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program
Christine Cheng

Christine Cheng, a recipient of the 2025 Best of the State Spotlight Award, serves as Executive Director of Secure Choice for the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. In her role, she oversees implementation and expansion of the Illinois Secure Choice retirement savings program to increase retirement savings access for private-sector workers, helping to ensure that more Illinoisans can retire with dignity. Prior to joining the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, Christine spent 17 years working on improving financial health and benefits access for Illinoisans, including involvement in Illinois’s largest free tax preparation program and a statewide coalition to help Illinois residents access their stimulus checks and the expanded Child Tax Credit. Christine has a BA in Cognitive Science from Northwestern University.

Program Director
Delaware EARNS
Ted Griffith

Ted Griffith, a recipient of the 2025 Best of the State Spotlight Award, was named the first program director for Delaware EARNS in March 2023. He brings to this role within the Delaware Office of the State Treasurer extensive experience in financial planning as well as marketing and communications. A Certified Financial Planner (TM) professional, Ted worked for 16 years at the global investment company Vanguard. Most recently, he was a high-net worth financial advisor and helped to oversee $100 million in client assets. He was also a marketing and communications manager with responsibility for fund reports and other content distributed to millions of investors. Before his career in financial services, Ted was an award-winning journalist for a variety of outlets, including CBS MarketWatch and The News Journal. He is an active volunteer in his community for organizations including the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children and the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. From 2019 to 2024, he was the treasurer for the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. He and his wife Krista live in Wilmington, Delaware with their two sons, Sam and Nate.