Home2021 Certificates of Competency for Nominees to be Chiefs of Mission ...Cohen, David L – Canada – August 2021 hide Cohen, David L – Canada – August 2021 Certificate of Competency August 3, 2021 REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4) POST: Canada CANDIDATE: David L. Cohen David L. Cohen is a business leader, public policy expert, and philanthropist who currently serves as Senior Advisor to the CEO at Comcast Corporation. He previously served as Senior Executive Vice President where he led a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including domestic and international government and regulatory affairs, corporate communications, legal affairs, corporate administration, and community impact. Mr. Cohen was also the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer, reflecting his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Before coming to Comcast, Mr. Cohen served as a partner in and Chairman of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Staff to Mayor of Philadelphia Edward G. Rendell. Mr. Cohen’s demonstrated leadership skills and years of experience in the government, business, and philanthropic worlds will be critical to success in Ottawa and make him a well-qualified candidate to be U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Consistent with his passion and commitment to community, Mr. Cohen serves on many nonprofit boards, including as Chair of the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as a member of the Trustee Board of Penn Medicine. In addition, he is a long-time member and former chair of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He chairs the Philadelphia Theatre Company, is a member of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission and its Executive Committee, and is Chair of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Philadelphia Bid Committee. He serves as Chair of the national board of City Year; is on the national board of the National Urban League; and is Chair of the Corporate Advisory Board of UnidosUS. He has received numerous awards for civic and charitable activities. Mr. Cohen graduated from Swarthmore College in 1977 with a BA and with a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School summa cum laude in 1981.
