Meg Mainzer-Cohen has served as President and Executive Director of the Back Bay Association since 2000. She collaborates with a board of 40 business leaders, provides strategic advice to companies managing business development, and works with them to gain city approvals and build support during the public permitting process. Meg is a critical conduit between the businesses of Back Bay and city/state policy makers and elected leaders to support increased economic outcomes. She has been a stalwart leader for the meetings and hospitality sectors in Back Bay, advocating for preserving the area’s robust economic engine.

Working closely with city and state elected officials and key agencies, she also maintains strong alliances with community groups and neighborhood organizations. Meg participated on, and later chaired, the Boston Finance Commission and served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Somerville Community Corporation, a community development corporation (CDC), which develops and manages affordable housing and supports inclusive economic growth in Somerville.

Her first role in business development was as Events and Public Relations Director for the Downtown Crossing Association, a nonprofit association (now Business Improvement District) of businesses dedicated to the civic, economic and cultural development of Boston’s central business district.