Ed Cohen

Background

About Ed Cohen

Why I Do This Work: Everything begins with relationships. The ones we build and nurture so they endure, whether one to one or one to many, create confidence, grow trust, and unlock transformation. Change happens when we listen with intention, lead with vulnerability, and stay open to learning from every person we meet. This has guided my 46-year career across 75+ countries, helping people and organizations grow. Thought Leadership Leadership Without Borders (Amazon #1 International Business bestseller) Riding the Tiger: Leading Through Learning in Turbulent Times Leadership Traits Transforming Teams: Building Relationship-Centered, High Performing Teams (ATD Press, 2026) presents a six-phase methodology adopted by over 150 organizations across six continents. It helps people at every level build relationship-centered cultures that elevate retention, engagement, and performance by embedding psychological safety into everyday behaviors. Worlds Apart: A Journey of Connection, Courage, and Change (with Devi Boddu, OM Books International, 2026) shares the story of a girl studying under a streetlamp in Hyderabad. Her determination mirrored my own struggles and opened a path to healing I had long postponed, shaping my belief in reciprocal mentoring, a two-way practice of growth that now defines how I lead, coach, and connect. VULNERABLE: One Man’s Journey from Abuse to Abundance (Evan & Nathan Publishing, 2026) is my most personal work, telling my story of surviving childhood trauma and reclaiming leadership through healing. I write and speak to remind others that true strength begins when we dare to end the silence. Intersection of Innovation & Empathy: From the early days of desktop learning to today’s age of AI, I have worked where technology and human development meet. As Chief Learning Officer at Booz Allen Hamilton and later at Satyam (now Tech Mahindra), I led initiatives that took both companies to the number one global ranking in learning and development. My years at Satyam took me to India, where living for several years expanded my global perspective and strengthened my commitment to inclusive leadership. After co-founding Nelson Cohen Global Consulting, I continued returning to India while advising organizations worldwide on building cultures of trust and performance. More recently, as Chief People Officer at SprintRay, I guided the company’s culture through hyper-growth, where our team earned ATD’s Talent Development for Good Award and an Excellence in Practice Award. Today, I serve as Strategic Advisor at SprintRay and for Tranquilla.AI.