Lauren Wagner is the Executive Director of Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), an independent nonprofit arts service organization dedicated to supporting, connecting, and advocating for the creative sector across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. With over 20 years of experience spanning development, programming, marketing, and operations in both nonprofit and commercial arts settings, Lauren brings a dynamic and data-informed approach to cultural leadership.
Under her guidance, LIAA has launched several high-impact initiatives, including Harnessing Long Island’s Creative Spark, a newly released policy report that spotlights the role of the arts in regional economic development, downtown revitalization, and community wellbeing. She also led the expansion of LIAA’s participation in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study, equipping Long Island organizations with localized impact data to drive advocacy and funding.
Lauren was named one of Long Island’s Most Dynamic Women Leaders in 2025, a City & State 2025 Trailblazer in Arts & Culture, and a Nassau County Woman of Distinction in 2021. She currently serves on the boards of ArtsNYS, Discover Long Island, and the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council’s Natural Assets & Tourism Work Group. She holds a master’s degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Arts Administration from Wagner College. | 
