For immediate release:
April 7, 2025  

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

BALTIMORE, MD (April 7, 2025) – The Maryland State Retirement Agency (SRA) announced today that Danita Johnson, Managing Director of Investments for the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS), was named a 2025 Honoree in an exclusive shortlist of investment leaders by the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP). The NASP is a distinguished nonprofit organization that fosters and curates professional leadership talent from underrepresented communities within the financial services industry.

The New York Chapter of the NASP Foundation held its 27th Annual Wall Street Hall of Fame on March 13 at the United Federation of Teachers in New York City. The annual occasion serves as a special fundraising event to benefit the Wall Street Finance and Scholastic Training and Mentoring Program (FAST Track) while also honoring financial services leaders who have participated as mentors and teachers in the program. Danita Johnson was one of among four honorees recognized for guiding aspiring students in an introductory capacity on Wall Street disciplines.

“For those of us who know Danita professionally, it comes as no surprise that she stands out for both her acumen and her talent for patiently sharing that knowledge,” said SRA Executive Director, Martin Noven. “Speaking on behalf of the agency, we’re absolutely delighted that she’s being honored for leading by example. Danita acutely understands that growth in the financial services industry always depends upon the next emerging generation. The fact that she recognizes that next generation also comprises underrepresented individuals is testimony to her big-picture vision.”

Ms. Johnson’s honored representation placed SRPS amongst other awardees from nationally recognized financial institutions at the event, such as Vista Equity Partners and the New York State Common Retirement Fund. Likewise, sponsorship for the momentous occasion included Fidelity Investments and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., among a host of others.

“NASP’s motto is ‘Inclusion is Business’ and Danita understands the wisdom in cultivating underrepresented talent,” said Andrew Palmer, Chief Investment Officer for SRPS. “Her personal investment of knowledge in this group is a sound investment in their futures, as well as a future dividend for those individuals whom these youth will one day lead.”

The National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP) was founded in 1985 with a core group of 44 individuals. In the past 40 years, NASP has grown to become a beacon of connectivity and advocacy for equal representation and inclusion within the securities and investments industry.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System 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 fire fighters whose employers have elected to participate in the system.