California鈥檚 State Controller Helps Launch University鈥檚 Trailblazing Women Speaker Series, Discussing Leadership, Public Service, and Breaking Barriers
In honor of Women鈥檚 History Month, Malia Cohen, California鈥檚 State Controller reflected on her journey into public service, the challenges of leadership, and the impact of policy work, as she joined President Frederiksen to kick off the University of 性爱视频鈥檚 Frederiksen Forum: Trailblazing Women speaker series.
April 2, 2025
By Caitlin Truesdale, Office of Marketing and Communications
Controller Malia Cohen (left) and President Jens Frederiksen (right)
During the launch of the University of 性爱视频鈥檚 new Frederiksen Forum: Trailblazing Women speaker series, California State Controller Malia Cohen shared her journey to success and the perseverance it took to work through many challenges.
Cohen鈥檚 journey into public service began with a childhood visit to San Francisco City Hall. Even at eight years old, she knew she wanted to be part of the decisions made within those walls. That early spark led to internships, volunteer work, and a deep commitment to community service. Now, as California鈥檚 State Controller, she manages the finances of the world鈥檚 fifth-largest economy.
鈥淚 grew up in San Francisco,鈥 Cohen shared. 鈥淢y parents instilled in me a strong sense of service鈥攚hat some call servant leadership. That foundation shaped my career.鈥
Running for office, navigating male-dominated political spaces, and facing public scrutiny have tested her resilience. 鈥淎 recurring theme in my career has been 鈥榊ou鈥檙e good, but not quite good enough,鈥欌 she said. 鈥淧eople told me I should be an aide, not an elected official. I鈥檝e had to prove myself over and over.鈥
President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., joined her on stage for the conversation and celebrated the importance of her work. 鈥淲e often say we鈥檙e a private university with a public mission, and many students today wrestle with the idea of public service,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 tough, with many drawn to the private sector instead.鈥
He asked, 鈥淏eyond serving constituents, what excites you about public service?鈥
Cohen鈥檚 answer was clear: making a tangible impact. 鈥淚 love engaging in meaningful discussions, breaking down how legislation affects communities,鈥 she said. 鈥淧eople see politicians reading to children, but the real work happens in committees and behind closed doors. Affecting that change and providing access to that information is important to me.鈥
Malia Cohen, California鈥檚 State Controller
鈥楴ever waste an internship鈥
Cohen鈥檚 passion for public service took root early, shaped by hands-on experience. As a high school student, she conducted informational interviews with city officials鈥攕ome inspiring, others unimpressive. 鈥淚t made me think, 鈥業 can do this,鈥欌 she said.
She carried that mindset into college, taking on internships that exposed her to the realities of governance. 鈥淟esson one: Never waste an internship,鈥 she advised. 鈥淟esson two: Even bad experiences have value. I once worked for an official who fired me鈥攊t bruised my ego but taught me the kind of leader I didn鈥檛 want to be.鈥
That experience didn鈥檛 deter her; it strengthened her resolve. Cohen went on to serve eight years on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she spearheaded policies on public health, economic development, and social equity. 鈥淐ity Hall fascinated me because it鈥檚 where everything happens鈥攎arriages, divorces, taxes, legislation. That field trip at eight years old set me on my path.鈥
Her trajectory continued upward, culminating in her election as California鈥檚 State Controller in 2022. Even with experience, breaking into leadership positions wasn鈥檛 simple. 鈥淏eing a Black woman in finance and public service comes with constant challenges,鈥 she said. 鈥淭here aren鈥檛 many women, let alone women of color, in this space. I鈥檓 not just leading 鈥 I鈥檓 redefining what leadership looks like.鈥
Controller Malia Cohen speaking with President Jens Frederiksen at the University of 性爱视频鈥檚 Frederiksen Forum: Trailblazing Women speaker series
鈥楾here are moments of weakness鈥
Navigating politics requires resilience, said Cohen who has learned to face opposition head-on. 鈥淟adies, the classic challenge is that men think they know everything,鈥 she said, prompting laughter from the audience. 鈥淚 listen, then say, 鈥極kay, thanks鈥攈ere鈥檚 how we鈥檙e going to do it.鈥欌
Despite some obstacles, Cohen stays grounded. 鈥淭here are moments of weakness鈥攁nyone else ever cry in the shower, wondering, 鈥榃hat did I sign up for?鈥欌 she admitted. 鈥淧eople say, 鈥榃ell, you ran for this.鈥 Yeah, I did鈥攂ut not for the hostility and the meanness. My advice? Don鈥檛 read the comments.鈥
Instead, she leans on a strong support network and a sense of humor. 鈥淗onestly, humor is one of the best ways to handle sexism and bigotry,鈥 she said. 鈥淪ometimes, I walk into a room knowing I鈥檓 the expert. It鈥檚 almost funny when people try to explain things to me with flawed reasoning.鈥
鈥楶ublic speaking is crucial鈥
Reflecting on the lessons that shaped her, Cohen emphasized the idea of financial literacy and adaptability. 鈥淎 mentor once told me, 鈥楩ollow the money.鈥 Knowing how funds move ensures job security and impact,鈥 she said.
Her advice for students? Gain diverse experiences and embrace discomfort. 鈥淥ne of the best courses I took was 鈥楧ecision Making Under Uncertainty,鈥欌 she said. 鈥淚 also took an improv class, which helped me think on my feet鈥攙aluable in any field.鈥
She encouraged students to seek opportunities beyond the classroom. 鈥淧ublic speaking is crucial,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f I could do one thing differently, I鈥檇 travel more. Exposure to other cultures and governments broadens your perspective.鈥
President Frederiksen echoed the importance of global awareness. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a private university with a global mission,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat exposure is invaluable.鈥
As the conversation came to a close, Cohen left students with a final thought: 鈥淭ake risks, ask questions, and lift up others. My success is not how many policies I change, how many initiatives, but how many good people I put into the world to do this work called public service.鈥
