For immediate release:
May 28, 2025  

Contact: Katherine Morris
kmorris@sra.state.md.us

BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland State Retirement Agency announced today at the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System Board of Trustees Investment Committee meeting the appointment of Edward Kamonjoh as the new Senior Corporate Governance Manager. In this critical role, and in accordance with fiduciary responsibilities, Mr. Kamonjoh will oversee the strategic execution of the System’s governance program, including proxy voting, the integration of material environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment due diligence, and board-level engagement initiatives. 

Mr. Kamonjoh brings more than two decades of corporate governance and investment stewardship experience to Maryland. He most recently served as Director of Impact Management at Calvert Research and Management, part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, where he designed and led a landmark impact stewardship program. The initiative was credited with supporting Calvert’s growth trajectory while emphasizing sustainable value creation and stakeholder accountability. 

“Edward’s appointment signals a deepened commitment by the System to uphold leading governance practices, informed engagement and responsible stewardship across our investment operations,” said Maryland State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, Chair of the SRPS Board of Trustees. “We are confident that his global perspective and policy fluency will enhance our governance framework in meaningful and measurable ways.” 

In his role, Kamonjoh will provide strategic counsel to the Chief Investment Officer, senior investment staff and the System’s Board of Trustees. Consistent with fiduciary responsibilities, he will be responsible for implementing the System’s custom proxy voting program, working across asset classes to integrate consideration of material ESG factors that influence risk and return into investment due diligence, and chairing internal governance committees. He will also represent the System in engagement with corporate issuers, regulatory bodies and policy-shaping organizations. 

“Edward’s industry experience and passion for principled investing make him uniquely equipped to guide the System through an evolving governance landscape,” said Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Vice Chair of the SRPS Board of Trustees and Chair of the Investment Committee. “His leadership will help ensure our governance program not only reflects the highest standards but also delivers on our long-term investment and fiduciary goals.” 

Mr. Kamonjoh’s extensive experience also includes leadership roles at Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), The 50/50 Climate Project and Climate Safe Lending. He is a graduate of Earlham College, where he studied economics and computer science, and holds training certifications from the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN). 

“Edward brings the right combination of experience and foresight at a time when public pension systems are navigating increasingly complex expectations,” said SRA Executive Director Martin Noven. “His leadership will be instrumental as we continue strengthening our governance practices and fulfilling our fiduciary responsibilities to members.” 

“Throughout my tenure as Chief Investment Officer, we’ve seen a transformation in how governance and sustainability are embedded in investment decisions,” said SRA Chief Investment Officer Andrew Palmer, who will retire at the end of June. “Edward’s expertise ensures that the System remains forward-looking and responsive to the evolving landscape of long-term responsible investing.” 

Mr. Kamonjoh officially began his tenure today and was formally introduced at the in-person meeting of the System’s Board of Trustees Investment Committee. His appointment reflects the System’s continued focus on principled governance, institutional accountability and investment integrity.  

The Maryland State Retirement Agency is charged with the fiduciary responsibility for properly administering the retirement and pension allowances of nearly 168,000 retirees and beneficiaries, as well as the future benefits for more than 245,000 active and former members. These groups include state government employees, teachers, law enforcement personnel, legislators, judges and local government employees and firefighters whose employers have elected to participate in the system.   

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