Siobhan Sheils

Chief People Officer

ssheils@cohengroup.net

As Chief People Officer of The Cohen Group, Ms. Siobhan Sheils is responsible for firmwide processes for recruiting and hiring, performance evaluation, growth and professional development, people-focused strategic planning, and culture and skill-building. Previously, Ms. Sheils was a Vice President at the firm, working with clients in industries such as microelectronics, communications, biotechnology, and healthcare to advise on strategies to address global geopolitical challenges, navigate policy and export control regimes, engage government stakeholders, and pursue market expansion.

Prior to joining The Cohen Group, Ms. Sheils served in government at the White House National Security Council and US Department of State. As a Director at the National Security Council, Ms. Sheils coordinated policy planning around US-Cuba normalization. Previously, she served at the US Department of State in a number of policy and operational roles, to include serving as Special Assistant to Deputy Secretary William Burns, Deputy Secretary Antony Blinken, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman. She also served as a desk officer and staff assistant, and was detailed to US Embassy Guatemala City.

Ms. Sheils participated in the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Global Women’s Leadership Program and was a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project.

Ms. Sheils began her career as an 8th grade English teacher in the South Bronx and Newark, New Jersey. She is a member of the KIPP DC Ambassador Board. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Circle Yoga, a cooperative yoga studio in Washington, DC.