Diane Cohen loves to garden. Gardeners search for a better world; theirs is an exercise in optimism while everything is changing and growing and quietly taking its time. The hope for the future is at the heart of all gardening, just as it’s been in the seven-and-a-half years of Cohen’s tenure as executive director of the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls.

Established in 1991, LIFWG is a grant-making organization whose mission is to fund programs that improve the lives of women and girls, highlight and address women’s issues and develop women’s philanthropy. It has contributed to the creation of many programs, covering the gamut of women’s issues such as health education, gender equity, dating violence, athletic policies and mentoring opportunities.

“It is so rewarding to see the wonderful things these women have done with whatever we’re able to give them,” Cohen explains. For instance, seed money has helped establish Herstory, a writer’s workshop for women who have experienced trauma, and aided in developing an art-therapy program at Madonna Heights. This year the fund granted 23 of the 90 requests it received. Next year should be even more rewarding.

When asked to describe an area in special need of improvement, Cohen doesn’t hesitate.“Child-care issues are as challenging as they were 20 years ago when I was raising my daughters. Improving that situation is certainly one of our primary goals.” It’s one we have no doubt this committed, generous, green-thumb of an executive will achieve.