David L. Cohen

Early life and education

Born to a Jewish family in New York, Cohen graduated from Swarthmore College in 1977, where he triple-majored in political science, history, and economics. In 1981, he graduated with a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Career

Cohen served as chief of staff to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, from January 1992 to April 1997. In 1998, he served as the chief negotiator for SEPTA during a 40-day labor strike conducted by the Transport Workers Union of America. He was a partner in Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll.

He was named to the PoliticsPA "Power 50" list of politically influential individuals in 2002 and 2003. The Pennsylvania Report named him to the 2003 "The Pennsylvania Report Power 75" list of influential figures in Pennsylvania politics, noting that "No one–in or out of government–is closer to Ed Rendell than Cohen." In 2009, he was included in "The Pennsylvania Report 100" list of influential figures in state politics, noting him as "one Philadelphian that all statewide Dems should know." In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Democrats" in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia magazine listed him as the third-most powerful person in Philadelphia and the top "Connector", whose "influence knows no limits", in its 75 Most Influential People Right Now list in 2014.

In February 2013, Cohen endorsed Republican Governor Tom Corbett's failed re-election bid.

Ambassador to Canada

On July 21, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Cohen as the United States ambassador to Canada. Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 22, 2021. The committee favorably reported his nomination to the Senate floor on October 19, 2021. Cohen was officially confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote on November 2, 2021.

Cohen was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris on December 1, 2021. On December 7, 2021, he presented his credentials to Governor General Mary Simon.

References

References

1. (November 3, 2021). "Canada is about to have a U.S. ambassador again". [[CBC.ca]].
2. "David L. Cohen, Senior Advisor, Comcast Corporation".
3. Kang, Cecilia. (October 29, 2012). "David Cohen may be Comcast's secret weapon, but in D.C. he's a wonk rock star". The Washington Post.
4. Edelman, Lynn. (2008-02-14). "David L. Cohen: He's Someone Genetically Hardwired to Lead Federation". [[The Jewish Exponent]].
5. "Q&A with David L. Cohen | Penn Current".
6. "David L. Cohen". [[Comcast]].
7. Fitzgerald, Thomas. (October 27, 2021). "SEPTA workers might strike soon. It wouldn't be the first time.".
8. "David L. Cohen: Executive Profile & Biography". businessweek.com.
9. (2002). "Sy Snyder's Power 50". The Publius Group.
10. (2003). "Power 50". The Publius Group.
11. (January 31, 2003). "The PA Report "Power 75" List". Capital Growth, Inc..
12. (January 23, 2009). "PA Report 100". Capital Growth, Inc..
13. Roarty, Alex. (January 2010). "Pennsylvania Influencers". Politics Magazine.
14. [https://www.politicspa.com/influential-politicos-to-host-fundraisers-for-judicial-candidates/63212/ "Influential Politicos To Host Fundraisers for Judicial Candidates" by Abby Smith, PoliticsPA, January 23, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2020.]
15. Worden, Amy. (February 19, 2013). "Democrat David L. Cohen of Comcast to back GOP's Corbett". [[Philly.com]].
16. (July 21, 2021). "President Biden Announces Four Key Foreign Policy Nominations". The White House.
17. Hayes, Dade. (December 5, 2019). "Comcast's David Cohen, Diversity Exec And Adviser To Brian Roberts, Stepping Down".
18. (November 2, 2021). "PN923 - Nomination of David L. Cohen for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022)".
19. "U.S. Ambassador-designate to Canada David L. Cohen was ceremonially sworn into office earlier today by @VP Kamala Harris at the White House".
20. (December 7, 2021). "Governor General welcomed new heads of mission to Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall".