Vivek Malek

Vivek Malek (born 1977) is an American attorney, businessman, and politician who is the State Treasurer of Missouri. First appointed Treasurer by Missouri Governor Mike Parson in 2022, he was elected to a full term in 2024 by winning landslide victories in both the primary and general elections. He is a member of the Republican Party and the first person of color to win state office in Missouri history.

Early life and education

Malek was born and raised in India. He graduated from Maharshi Dayanand University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Law, and went on to receive a Master of Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Laws from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Career

Malek began practicing law in Missouri in 2006. In 2011, he established his law firm, Law Offices of Vivek Malek, with a focus on immigration law. The Missouri House of Representatives and Senate recognized "his service and contributions to Missouri communities" in 2007 and 2015, respectively, and the '' St. Louis Business Journal'' awarded him their Minority Business Leader Award in 2010. He also appeared on '' Business Todays list of "30 under 30." In 2020, Governor Mike Parson appointed him to the board of governors of his alma mater, Southeast Missouri State University.

Prior to his appointment as treasurer, Malek worked in real estate with Nathan Cooper, whose law firm he'd previously worked for. Cooper became notorious in St. Louis for unmaintained rental properties. Malek describes his involvement as both a family enterprise and passive investment, claiming he was not aware of unaddressed tenant complaints.

State Treasurer of Missouri

On December 20, 2022, Parson appointed Malek Treasurer of Missouri, following Scott Fitzpatrick's election as State Auditor. He became the first person of color to hold statewide office in Missouri. He successfully sought reelection to a full term in 2024.

China divestment

In 2025, Malek urged Vanguard—one of the world’s largest investment management firms—to offer an option excluding Chinese equities within the state’s $4.5 billion 529 college savings plan. Citing fiduciary and geopolitical concerns, Malek sent a letter on April 14 requesting a China-free exchange-traded fund (ETF) and indicated Vanguard’s role as plan manager could be reconsidered without such an option.

Following communication with Malek’s office, Vanguard filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 30 to launch the Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF. According to Reuters, this followed roughly six weeks after Malek’s initial outreach. The move aligns with a broader industry trend, with several “ex-China” ETFs debuting in 2024. Malek has also supported promoting the fund to Missouri’s smaller public pension systems.

In 2023, Malek proposed divesting state pension funds from investments in China, citing economic risks, geopolitical instability, poor investment performance, human rights concerns, and the need to ensure the best return for Missouri state employees' pensions. Initially, the proposal was rejected by the MOSER board, but passed in a special meeting requested by Mike Parson. Opponents criticized the proposal as politically motivated related to Malek's campaign, and the request by Parson as interference.

Unclaimed property

As treasurer, Malek increased efforts to return unclaimed property, returning more than previous treasurers. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, Malek facilitated the return of $51,817,543.80 in unclaimed property, surpassing the previous record of $50.2 million set in the prior fiscal year. Additionally, the record for the number of accounts returned was exceeded, with 255,627 accounts returned compared to 233,769 in fiscal year 2022. Treasurer Malek emphasized the ongoing efforts to return unclaimed funds to citizens and encouraged individuals to check for unclaimed property through the Missouri State Treasurer’s website. As of the latest reporting, the Treasurer’s office holds approximately $1.39 billion in unclaimed property.

He drew bipartisan criticism from making a deal with Torch Electronics, a company in an ongoing legal battle with the state and represented by Steven Tilley, to advertise the unclaimed property program on their machines. Malek removed the advertisements following a committee hearing on the issue.

MOBUCK$

Malek has pushed legislators to expand the capacity of the MOBUCK$ low interest loan program, which closed 2023 applications early due to high demand. When the program opened with $119 million in available funds on January 2, all funds were allocated within six hours, reflecting the high interest from applicants facing rising interest rates.

Malek has championed the program's expansion, and House Bill 1803 was passed in 2024 to increase MOBUCK$ funding from $800 million to $1.2 billion. Malek emphasized that the program acts as a buffer against inflation, allowing businesses to grow and contribute to Missouri’s economy.

Since Malek’s appointment in January 2023, the treasurer’s office has processed $651.2 million in linked deposits, benefiting 147 borrowers, including 97 small businesses and 39 agri-businesses. The program's popularity highlights the need for increased funding, with the expansion expected to further support economic development without additional cost to the state.

Opposition to DEI

Malek has consistently advocated for merit-based hiring and academic rigor over ideological initiatives like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Malek has expressed concerns that DEI programs, such as those previously seen at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), often prioritize equality of outcomes over equality of opportunity, fostering division rather than true diversity. Citing instances where DEI requirements influenced hiring decisions, he has criticized the use of inclusion and equity statements that favored political activism over academic and teaching excellence. Applauding the University of Missouri System's decision to eliminate diversity statements in hiring, Malek believes that that taxpayer-funded institutions should prioritize academic excellence and intellectual inclusivity over divisive ideologies.

Concern about Illegal Immigration

Malek was a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, which he described as a "disastrous open-border policy" that jeopardized America’s security, public health, and state finances. Malek has criticized the strain illegal immigration places on state and local governments, particularly in handling issues like the fentanyl crisis and increased criminal activity. He considered Biden's removal of Title 42 limits and the surge in illegal border crossings an insult to legal immigrants who adhere to the law and a threat to the integrity of the American Dream. Malek advocates for reversing these policies, emphasizing the need to protect taxpayer resources, uphold public safety, and preserve the value of legal immigration.

2024 Campaign

Malek successfully sought reelection to a full term in 2024, and won the Republican nomination against several challengers in August.

Personal life

Malek resides in Wildwood, Missouri, with his wife, Riju, and their three children.

Electoral history

State treasurer

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malek, Vivek
1977 births
American politicians of Indian descent
Asian-American people in Missouri politics
Indian emigrants to the United States
Living people
Maharshi Dayanand University alumni
Politicians from St. Louis County, Missouri
Southeast Missouri State University alumni
State treasurers of Missouri
University of Illinois College of Law alumni
21st-century Missouri politicians
Asian conservatism in the United States