Matthew Cohen
Matthew Cohen became the President & CEO of the Long Island Association (LIA), the
region’s leading business organization, in May 2021. Matt is working with the LIA’s
Board of Directors and all LIA members to implement our vision for Long Island’s future,
including making Long Island an attractive and more affordable place to live and do
business; spurring economic growth and improving the business climate; keeping young
professionals here and expanding access to child care and housing opportunities; supporting
employers to expand and thrive, particularly small businesses; leading the development
of emerging, 21st century industries like clean energy, the life sciences, and artificial intelligence;
cultivating a more inclusive economy and creating new, good-paying jobs; and fostering
increased private investments and more federal and state resources for the region.
Matt previously served as the Vice President of Government Affairs & Communications at the LIA for 10 years. In that role, he spearheaded the LIA’s legislative agenda, which included advocating for tax and regulatory relief, and securing billions of dollars in economic development investments on Long Island for transportation, infrastructure, housing, energy, education, health care, manufacturing, downtown revitalization, small businesses, and the innovation economy. Additionally, Matt helped to coordinate the LIA’s response to Covid-19 and its economic impacts, providing critical assistance and real-time information to local businesses and obtaining federal and state aid for Long Island.