Meet Scott,

one of our Partners.

Scott Cotenoff (he/him) is dedicated to ensuring that his work remains rooted in social justice and equity, and seeks to promote and support opportunities for respectful and meaningful engagement across diverse communities. He helps create inclusive spaces in which a broad diversity of experiences and perspectives are central. Scott’s life experience shape his ability to bring a compassionate and advocacy‑oriented approach to his projects, as he actively works to understand and address the ways in which his background and identities have affected and will continue to affect his work and interactions with others.

Scott has a background in public health, civil rights law, and creating change for houseless individuals and families. Prior to joining La Piana in 2013, Scott was Senior Vice President for programs and new initiatives at New York City’s Partnership for the Homeless, served as Executive Director for the Children’s Hope Foundation and Body Positive, and developed and delivered legal services for people living with HIV and AIDS in New York City. Scott is particularly passionate about working with organizations that focus on public health, racial and social justice, the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and that address issues related to homelessness.

Practice Areas of Interest
Social Justice/ Advocacy/ Policy	Health / Health Equity / Public Health	Jewish Life & Learning

Impact Approach	Scott is known for pushing clients to expand their concept of what's possible  and to have a realistic sense of what is needed to maximize impact. He helps organizations to think big and to challenge themselves to reach their full potential, while also providing practical guidance and support to make their goals a reality.
Education	Boston University School of Law ‒ J.D. Hunter College ‒ M.P.H, Urban Public Health Duke University ‒ B.A., Political Science
Select Clients	Select Publications
America Votes Asociacion Interamericana Para La Defensa Del Ambiente (AIDA) Candid Community First Fund Equal Justice USA Fair Elections Center Gemma Services Go2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Grand St. Settlement Hamakom Health Care Improvement Foundation Health Federation of Philadelphia HIAS Impact Justice Justice System Partners Momentum for Health National Health Care for the Homeless Council National Women's Law Center Network for Public Health Law NJ Institute for Social Justice PFLAG Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools Race Forward The HOPE Program The International Center for Clean Transportation The Public Theater	The Merger & Alliance Toolkit The Difference between Nonprofit and For-Profit Strategic Restructuring Processes Being an “Elder at work” – the other side of the Generational Divide Building a Dynamic Organizational Culture: It Takes More than Leaders Old Ways Won’t Open New Doors More than a Generational Shift Parental Leave: The Need for a National Policy to Foster Sexual Equality
“My clients thrive when we are able to collectively develop a clear understanding of impact, supported by an inclusive culture built on equity and compassion, driven by well-defined actions and structure.”
Outside of Work
Scott's "home away from home" is his bike. He finds joy in the freedom of being on two wheels, pedaling roadways across different landscapes. It brings him peace, clears his mind and centers him in gratitude. He enjoys the physical and mental benefits that come from cycling, and it is a way for him to disconnect and explore different places.