Legislator Josh Lafazan, at 23 years of age, became Nassau County’s youngest-ever legislator upon his election to the Nassau County Legislature in November of 2017. He served 3 consecutive terms representing Nassau’s 18th Legislative District.
Josh graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a Master’s Degree in Education Policy and Management in May 2017, and from the Cornell University ILR School with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations in May 2016. Josh is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
In addition to public service, Josh is proud to work for Northwell Health, supporting the health system’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. In this role, Josh advises Northwell - New York’s largest private employer - on implementing policies and initiatives to best care for our employees, protect the environment, and impact our communities through strategic partnerships.
Previously, in May 2012, at the age of 18, Josh became one of the youngest elected officials in the history of New York State when he was elected to the Syosset School Board of Education. Josh was re-elected by his constituents in 2015.
Josh’s dedication to community service began before he ran for the school board. In 2011, Josh became the Founder & CEO of Safe Ride Syosset, a community outreach program dedicated to ensuring that no Syosset teen gets behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated, or is the passenger in a car with a drunk driver.
Josh has made fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic his top legislative priority. Since 2013, Josh has served on the Board of Directors of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD), and Family & Children's Association Long Island (FCA).
In 2012, Josh was named to the Long Island Press' Power List of the 50 Most Influential People on Long Island. In 2014, Josh received the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences Educators’ Voice Award for School Board Member of the Year. In 2016, Josh was named a recipient of the New York State School Boards Association Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2021, Forbes named Josh to their “30 Under 30” List. And most recently in 2023, Marquis named Josh to their “Who’s Who” List of 75 Emerging Leaders in America.
Josh also hosted the Podcast “Java with Josh”, and is the author of "Political Gladiators: How Millennials Can Navigate the 21st Century Political Minefield and WIN!"
