California’s State Controller, Malia M. Cohen visited the university and took part in a new series of discussions that will be known as the Frederiksen Forum: Trailblazing Women. The speaker series was introduced as part of the university’s effort to celebrate Women’s History Month.
Cohen was elected to be the chief fiscal officer for the world’s fifth largest economy in November 2022 after having served in the California State Board of Equalization. She was elected to the board in November of 2018, and was chair in 2019 and 2022. With her work as controller, she continues to serve the board as its fifth voting member.
Cohen’s primary responsibility as controller is to account for and guard the state’s financial resources. Controller Cohen independently audits government agencies that spend state funds, administers the payroll system for state government and California State University employees and safeguards property until it is claimed by the rightful owner.
Additionally, Cohen serves on 70 boards and commissions with their purposes ranging from affordable housing to land management. Included in these boards are the nation’s two largest public pension funds, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
Prior to being elected to the BOE, Cohen was president of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco. Cohen’s responsibility as a supervisor consisted of serving as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, along with the Audit and Oversight Committee.
Cohen was born and raised in San Francisco, where she attended public schools. She graduated from Lowell High School, before receiving her bachelor’s degree in political science from Fisk University, a highly ranked historically black university in Nashville, Tenn. Cohen went on to earn her master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Frederiksen came to the University of New Haven from having previously served as Fisk’s executive vice president for institutional advancement and enrollment management.
Cohen began her political career in the 2003 San Francisco mayoral election, working as a field organizer for Gavin Newsom and later working as his confidential secretary while he was mayor.
During the forum, Cohen’s focus was on the significance of affordable housing, the impact of public service and the importance of women in leadership roles.
“It is important, particularly to the women in this room, to feel empowered and inspired, and for the men who are in the room, who are allies, to always remember that as an ally you can take space or share space,” she said.
The theme of leadership was a main focus of the discussion.
“Leadership is developing more future leaders who understand the responsibility they have of paying it forward and creating their own schools of leadership and styles of leadership,” said Cohen.
Following the initial discussion with President Jens Frederiksen, Cohen opened the floor to questions from students in the audience.
