Empire State Development and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced the appointment of Mwisa Chisunka as New York state business ombudswoman and director of business tax services and education.
As New York’s first ombudswoman, Chisunka will work closely with the business community to provide education about tax law developments, answer questions, and help businesses navigate the issue-resolution process, according to the state. She will also launch pro-business programs as part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Open for Business initiative.
“The appointment of a Business Ombudswoman builds on our success in making New York a business-friendly state. It will help businesses of all sizes achieve their goals — to thrive and grow,” Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said in a news release.
Chisunka will partner with chambers of commerce, small-business development centers, major trade associations, and nonprofit organizations across the state, according to Empire State Development. She will identify opportunities to streamline and enhance effective tax administration, providing input to regional economic development councils, state agencies, and the Commission on Tax Reform and Fairness, which is focused on modernizing the tax system to enhance New York’s business climate.
“Mwisa is a successful and experienced advocate who has helped thousands of business owners and individual taxpayers resolve their tax issues,” said Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox. “She’s the right choice to serve as New York’s first Business Ombudswoman. We look forward to [continuing to] working with her to improve the business tax climate.”
Chisunka joins Empire State Development after four years of leading the Tax Department’s downstate outreach efforts with advocacy and professional groups. Previously, she was a senior analyst and policy operations coordinator with the New York State Senate. She graduated from Colgate University and holds a master’s degree in public affairs from the Nelson A. Rockefeller School of Public Affairs and Policy.
Contact Carbonaro at mcarbonaro@cnybj.com