Elizabeth Lusskin stands as a driving force behind New York State’s ambitious economic development agenda as Executive Vice President for Small Business and Technology Development at Empire State Development (ESD). Since joining ESD in June 2022, she has led efforts to accelerate innovation, support small businesses, and foster technology-driven growth across the state.
Elizabeth Lusskin’s career is marked by a strong commitment to economic revitalization and entrepreneurship. She has held leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, government, and academia—most notably at Nyu Polytech (now NYU Tandon School of Engineering), where she managed resources for entrepreneurs, and at the Long Island City Partnership, where she expanded business improvement districts and strengthened community engagement.
At ESD, Lusskin oversees a dynamic portfolio that includes the Innovation and Technology division (NYSTAR), the Life Science Initiative, New York Ventures, the Capital Access Portfolio, and the Entrepreneur Development Team. Her approach is holistic, aiming to create synergies between these programs so that businesses and startups receive comprehensive support as they grow and innovate.
While ESD’s primary focus is New York State, its influence extends worldwide through strategic partnerships. The agency collaborates with leading companies, research institutions, and economic development organizations from across the globe. These partnerships include:
• United States: Collaboration with federal agencies, universities, and private sector leaders.
• Europe: Partnerships with European tech firms and research institutions, particularly in life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
• Asia: Active engagement with companies and investors from South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan, especially in the semiconductor and biotechnology sectors.
• Canada: Joint ventures and research collaborations in life sciences and clean technology.
Transformative Projects and Major Investments
Semiconductor Initiatives
• Micron Technology: In a landmark move, Micron announced a $100 billion investment to build a state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing campus near Syracuse, New York. Supported by ESD, this project is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and establish New York as a national leader in advanced chip manufacturing.
• Additional Semiconductor Projects: ESD also supports a broad ecosystem for semiconductor innovation, including research partnerships with universities and incentives for chip design and fabrication startups, further strengthening New York’s position in this critical industry.
Life Sciences and Biotech Advancements
• Life Science Initiative: ESD’s Life Science Initiative provides funding, incubators, and accelerators to propel New York’s biotech sector. The program supports startups and fosters collaboration with global research institutions.
• ESD’s life sciences portfolio includes partnerships focused on environmental biotechnology, medical research, and sustainable agriculture, reflecting a commitment to both human and planetary health.
Under Lusskin’s leadership, ESD’s Small Business and Technology Development division has become central to New York’s innovation economy. By leveraging international partnerships and supporting transformative projects like the Micron semiconductor campus, Lusskin is helping to position New York as a global hub for technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Her work is guided by a vision of inclusive, strategic growth that benefits businesses, communities, and the broader state—and, through global collaboration, the wider world.
In her own words:
“Part of what I’m doing is working to take advantage of those synergies. Then when we interact with a business through any one of these divisions, we’ll understand where we might be able to help them through other divisions and programs.”
—Elizabeth Lusskin
Elizabeth Lusskin’s leadership at Empire State Development exemplifies how innovative thinking and global partnerships can drive economic transformation and create opportunities for all.
(Photographer: Michael de la Force, LIKE Magazine, The Rockefeller University, 6.20.2025)
(Michael de la Force, LIKE® Magazine, 6.20.2025)
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