Daniel Cohen

Background

About Daniel Cohen

I am an effective, team-oriented leader with nearly a decade of experience in public service, building on and leveraging my background as a practicing attorney in corporate, non-profit, and government settings. I lead with empathy and a roll-up-my-sleeves approach to problem solving, as Chief Operating Officer of Maine's Office for Family Independence, where I have wide-ranging responsibilities that include directing cross-functional teams and overseeing the several hundred staff and contractors who support the largest Office in Maine's Executive Branch.I have deep experience in legislative and regulatory processes and development, and I have helped craft and implement some signature advances in Maine public benefits policy during my tenure in state government. In addition to helping to shape and execute the long-term strategic vision for the Office for Family Independence, I have a passion for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, and I have led or supported several initiatives to realize process improvement for staff and clients alike. I enjoy cultivating partnerships, and I have a noteworthy track record of success working - and strengthening relationships with - federal partners, other state agencies, and external stakeholders. I likewise bring a collaborative approach to contract negotiation and management. Beyond my work assisting low-income and vulnerable populations, I am invested in addressing climate change. I am a Terra.do Fellow, an in-depth program that equips people with the knowledge and skills to tackle the climate crisis. I am also well-versed in the innovations, technologies, and policy developments that will drive the transition to a clean-energy and carbon-neutral global economy. I am deeply motivated to help accelerate that transition.