Louisiana Representative Matthew Willard (D)

Healthcare Innovation Fellow

Matthew Willard is the Louisiana State Representative for District 97 in New Orleans. He serves on the Ways and Means, Insurance, and Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs committees in the House of Representatives. Rep. Willard, a graduate of the University of New Orleans, is also the Founder and Chairperson of the STEM Innovation Caucus and the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

Matthew is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Yokogawa Fluence Analytics, a former technology startup that provides continuous analytics and process control solutions for the polymer and biopharmaceutical industries. The company was acquired by Yokogawa Electric Corporation in 2023. Rep. Willard used his technology background to create the STEM Innovation Caucus, which is a bi-partisan effort focused on economic diversification, K-12 STEM education, new job creation, and workforce development training.

During his first term in the Louisiana Legislature, Rep. Willard passed more than 20 bills. He has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 leader by Gambit New Orleans and has received multiple awards for his social advocacy and economic development initiatives in the Louisiana Legislature.