Malia M. Cohen was elected controller in 2022, after serving four years on the California State Board of Equalization.

As controller, Cohen’s duties include accounting for and protecting the state's financial resources, independently auditing government agencies that spend state funds, and administering the payroll system for state and California State University employees.

Cohen serves on 70 boards and commissions, including CalSTRS and CalPERS.

Before being elected to the Board of Equalization, she served as president of the Board of Supervisors for the City and County of San Francisco and president of the San Francisco Employees' Retirement System.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Cohen attended public schools. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Fisk University and a master's degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Controller Cohen serves on the following committees:

• Vice Chair – Compensation Committee
• Audits and Risk Management Committee
• Investment Committee