Stephen Cheung serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and its subsidiary, the World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA). In this dual role, Stephen leads the organization’s vision to build a Coalition of One – Economy for All to benefit all Angelenos.
Since assuming the role in 2023, Stephen has spearheaded a comprehensive reimagining of the organization’s mission and strategies. Under his leadership, LAEDC has adopted a dynamic 5-pillar approach to economic development, focusing on business assistance, workforce development, international trade, strategic engagement, and actionable research. This strategy is driving the creation of thriving and competitive industry clusters, such as bioscience, space commercialization, sports & entertainment, and trade & logistics, that support good-paying jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities across Los Angeles County.
Stephen’s tenure has been marked by a steadfast commitment to addressing the region’s most pressing economic challenges. By advancing initiatives like Together for LA, the Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL) and California Jobs First, Stephen has positioned LAEDC at the forefront of efforts to uplift small businesses, institutionalize collaborative economic infrastructure, eliminate the digital divide, and promote sustainable economic growth. Over the last 10 years with LAEDC and WTCLA, his leadership has been instrumental in forging non-traditional partnerships and securing the resources necessary to build a more inclusive economy.