Banking Turmoil and Smart Regulatory Opportunities
Former Director of the National Economic Council and COO of Goldman Sachs GARY COHN is the go-to voice on current banking turmoil, the smart regulatory opportunities, and what lies ahead. Cohn outlines the most likely scenarios, mapping paths forward with clarity and confidence, focusing not only on next steps out of the Fed and regulatory agencies but also the impact these large-scale crises have on middle-sized business and hard-working Americans.
Strengthening Economic Opportunity in America
In this riveting talk, IBM Vice Chair GARY COHN speaks to both micro and macro issues with his trademark, straight-shooting style. Gary’s prescient comments range from domestic production of semiconductor chips and hiring for skills versus training, providing nuanced analysis on the issues facing companies, industries, and policymakers today.
The Forces Impacting Global and Domestic Economic Policy
Finance industry legend GARY COHN draws on his vast experience in the global financial system and significant grasp of the economic policymaking process to offer candid and revealing insights on both the impact on business and where policy is headed. Having served as President & COO of Goldman Sachs as well as Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, Cohn offers on-the-nose insights into issues ranging from monetary policy to fiscal policy; trade to taxes.
The Intersection of Finance and Technology
Finance industry legend and current Vice Chairman of IBM GARY COHN is an in-demand expert at the intersection of finance and technology. In this compelling talk, Cohn leverages his expertise at the highest levels in the public and private sector, both in finance and in tech, to offer an unparalleled perspective on the global financial system, tech advances, and the inner-workings of economic policy.
The Upcoming Election Cycle and What it Means for U.S. Growth
Drawing on his roles as former Director of the National Economic Council and President and COO of Goldman Sachs, IBM Vice Chair GARY COHN provides a pro-business, pro-U.S. growth perspective on the upcoming election cycle. With a Washington insider’s understanding of how politics affects the economy and vice versa, Cohn decodes what we can expect with insight, clarity, and humor. Weighing candidates, potential policies, and the market impact, Cohn provides an incisive and engaging outlook on what lies ahead.
Gary Cohn is a leading voice in the debate about the future of AI
Former Goldman Sachs executive and White House economic advisor GARY COHN is a leading voice in the debate about the future of AI. Now Vice Chairman of IBM, Cohn is a strong believer in the potential of artificial intelligence to transform the world – but is also concerned about the potential risks. As Cohn shared on Yahoo! Finance, “Machine learning AI we think will have an enormous impact on the productivity of the U.S. labor force, and it will allow people with difference skill sets to be much more effective at what they do.” Cohn has been a long-time proponent of the possibilities of AI, saying it “has the potential to be the most transformative technology in history.” He said that AI could be used to “solve some of the world's biggest problems,” such as climate change and poverty.
Cohn is also committed to ensuring that AI is used for good and not for evil. As VC of IBM, he is a staunch supporter of the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance – which is focused on responsible generative AI. ”AI technologies are quickly reshaping our world. We have an opportunity to create ethical guardrails and policy frameworks that will inform how generative AI is designed and deployed. The World Economic Forum is creating the AI Governance Alliance to address responsible generative AI, and IBM looks forward to contributing our own expertise to this work.” At Politico’s AI & Tech Summit, Cohn sat down to discuss the critical threats facing Americans today — and the technology working to stop them. He has called for a global conversation about the future of AI and has urged governments and businesses to work together to develop these guidelines.
Gary Cohn is the go-to voice for clarity on the current banking turmoil and what lies ahead
Former Director of the NEC and IBM Vice Chair GARY COHN is the go-to voice on current banking turmoil, smart regulatory opportunities, and what lies ahead. Cohn has been a consistent presence on all top media outlets, from Washington Post LIVE to CBS Mornings to CNBC’s Squawk on the Street – where he updated his previous ‘soft landing’ stance to something ‘more difficult’ in the wake of the Fed’s recent moves. While his expertise in global and domestic economic policy lends gravitas to his analysis, Cohn consistently directs the conversation toward what this means for hard-working Americans.
In a joint op-ed for The New York Times, Cohn and Jay Clayton called on policymakers to deliver smart solutions to save our banking system. While global asset managers are sharing alarming possibilities with the investors, harkening to seizures and shutdowns of past decades, Cohn doesn’t focus on solely the biggest financial organizations, but turns his attention toward the smaller local banks that are vital to communities and businesses.
A pro-business and pro-growth champion, he outlines the very tangible impact of banking turmoil – from middle-sized business owners being unable to spur their next phase of growth with a loan to issues running weekly payroll. Offering sound analysis on Face the Nation, Gary pulls all the threads together and maps the paths forward through crisis with clarity and candor – from the robust toolbox regulators have at their disposal, to political ramifications, and how all of this will impact the broader economy.
Gary Cohn provides vital analysis on strengthening economic opportunity in America
In a riveting panel discussion at the Milken Institute’s Global Conference, finance industry leader GARY COHN was celebrated for his ability to speak to both micro and macro issues with his trademark, straight-shooting style. With prescient comments ranging from domestic production of semiconductor chips and businesses hiring for skills versus training, to the polarization of realities as the nation tries to unify around a shared economic vision, the IBM Vice Chairman demonstrated significant grasp of the nuanced issues facing companies, industries, and policymakers today.
Cohn, a vocal advocate of free trade, has urged lawmakers to address inflation by investing in U.S. supply chains, and told CNN: “We need to get manufacturing back here in the United States so we can control our own supply chain and we can control our own destiny.” Leveraging his significant experience as chief economic advisor to President Trump, the former Director of the U.S. National Economic Council called for Congress to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act, which would invest in domestic computer chip manufacturing. In high demand for his unparalleled private and public sector leadership experience, Cohn has made headlines with his commentary..
Speaker Spotlight: Gary Cohn reveals what's ahead
Finance industry legend GARY COHN – Vice Chairman of IBM, former President and COO of Goldman Sachs (2006-16) and President Trump’s chief economic advisor (2017-18) – draws on his unparalleled private and public sector leadership experience to reveal what’s ahead, providing actionable takeaways on how your organization can best prepare. Heralded as "an economic-policy powerhouse" (The Wall Street Journal) and a "go-to figure on matters related to jobs, business and growth" (The New York Times), Cohn’s rise to the top of Wall Street is an inspirational story of legend; one chronicled in Malcolm Gladwell's bestselling book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. Cohn's career at Goldman Sachs spanned 26 years. While COO and President, he led his team through the global financial crisis with pragmatism and strength, helping formulate the strategies that saved the firm.
During Cohn’s time in the White House, he managed the President’s domestic and global economic policy agenda and led the Administration-wide effort to successfully pass the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Since leaving office, Cohn has been sought-out by leading companies, including blockchain startup Spring Labs and global market leader in mobile gaming MZ, as an adviser and board member, respectively. Cohn's expertise on the global financial system, tech advances, and the inner-workings of the current administration's approach to economic policy, have him in-demand everywhere from the World Economic Forum to the Global Financial Leadership Conference. He brings both a CEO's and White House insider’s point of view to each engagement, earning rave reviews thanks to his prescient, tangible insights, and sense of humor. Following the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, the event-planner raved: “We loved having Gary as part of this inaugural Forum, he's a fantastic speaker and I know our full audience benefited from his insights.”
Gary Cohn is a fantastic speaker for energy sector events
Former Director of the National Economic Council (2017-18) and President of Goldman Sachs (2006-16) GARY COHN wowed an audience of over 500 CEOs at the American Chemistry Council’s annual meeting. Speaking on politics, finance, and the energy sector to power-players from ExxonMobil Chemical, Shell Chemical, BASF, and more, Cohn was a perfect fit for the audience. They kept the moderated Q&A going for an extra half an hour, and could have kept asking him questions all night long. Heralded as "an economic-policy powerhouse" (The Wall Street Journal) and a "go-to figure on matters related to jobs, business and growth" (The New York Times), Cohn's expertise on the global financial system, technological innovation, and the inner-workings of the current administration's approach to policy thinking, have him in-demand at events everywhere from the World Economic Forum to the Global Financial Leadership Conference. His experience at the upper echelons of the public and private sector also has him in-demand by leading companies, as Cohn and has joined blockchain startup Spring Labs as an advisor and was named to the board of directors of MZ, a global market leader in mobile gaming. As the Bloomberg New Economy Forum raved: “We loved having Gary… he’s a fantastic speaker and I know our full audience benefited from his insights.”
Gary Cohn included in Malcolm Gladwell's David and Goliath
Finance industry legend GARY COHN’s rise to the top of Wall Street is an inspirational story of legend; one chronicled in Malcolm Gladwell's bestselling book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. Challenging the way we think about obstacles and disadvantages, David and Goliath is among Gladwell’s most famous works, offering powerful lessons for entrepreneurs, recruiters, and anyone interested in success. The book is also the subject of a Gladwell TEDTalk, which has received over 8.5M views. Among the true stories chronicled in the book, is Gary Cohn’s unlikely ascension on Wall Street. Growing up, Cohn struggled with dyslexia and did poorly in school. He famously landed his first job on Wall Street by convincing a trader he split a cab with that he knew "everything" about options – a white lie – and then studying up on McMillan's Options as a Strategic Investment. It worked, and in 1990 Cohn was recruited by Goldman Sachs and steadily climbed the ranks until he was named President and COO in 2006.
It’s a captivating “against-the-odds” tale that rivets and empowers audiences worldwide. Cohn even appeared in a 60 Minutes alongside Gladwell, to explain how he managed to translate his disability into success. Cohn's career at Goldman Sachs spanned 26 years, and as the global financial recession hit, and numerous Wall Street firms crumbled, Goldman Sachs stood apart from the pack thanks in large part to Cohn's foresight, strategy and leadership. After leaving Goldman, he went on to serve as President Trump’s chief economic advisor, where he was heralded as "an economic-policy powerhouse" (The Wall Street Journal) and a "go-to figure on matters related to jobs, business and growth" (The New York Times). With his wildly inspiring life story, expertise on the global financial system, and knowledge of the inner-workings of the current U.S. administration's approach to economic policy, Cohn engages every audience.
Gary Cohn reveals what's ahead for the global economy and financial markets
Finance industry legend GARY COHN – Vice Chairman of IBM, former President and COO of Goldman Sachs (2006-16) and President Trump’s chief economic advisor (2017-18) – draws on his unparalleled private and public sector leadership experience to reveal what’s ahead for the global economy and financial markets in riveting remarks. Heralded as "an economic-policy powerhouse" (The Wall Street Journal) and a "go-to figure on matters related to jobs, business and growth" (The New York Times), Cohn has been sought-out by leading companies, including blockchain startup Spring Labs and global market leader in mobile gaming MZ, as an adviser and board member, respectively. Cohn's expertise on the global financial system, tech advances, and the inner-workings of economic policy making, have him in-demand everywhere from the World Economic Forum to the Global Financial Leadership Conference. He brings both a CEO's and White House insider’s point of view to each engagement, earning rave reviews thanks to his prescient, tangible insights and engaging sense of humor. Following the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, the event-planner raved: “We loved having Gary as part of this inaugural Forum, he's a fantastic speaker and I know our full audience benefited from his insights.”
Gary Cohn is an in-demand voice on fintech
Finance industry legend and current Vice Chairman of IBM GARY COHN is an in-demand expert at the intersection of finance and technology. Cohn is co-Chairman of Cohn Robbins Holding Corp., a $720M SPAC that invests across sectors including cybersecurity and blockchain infrastructure. Sought out by leading companies, he serves as an adviser for blockchain startup Spring Labs. Heralded as "an economic-policy powerhouse" (The Wall Street Journal) and a "go-to figure on matters related to jobs, business and growth" (The New York Times), Cohn's expertise on the global financial system, tech advances, and the inner-workings economic policy, have him in-demand everywhere from the World Economic Forum to the Global Financial Leadership Conference.
The former chief economic advisor to President Trump also sits on the board of directors of MZ, a global market leader and “Silicon Valley unicorn” at the intersection of gaming and tech. As Kristen Dumont, CEO of MZ, said: “Gary is not only an incredibly talented and seasoned financial expert, he is also a remarkable leader. Gary understands the challenges and triumphs of building a world class organization, having shepherded Goldman Sachs through its IPO and maturity into a public company. He forged strong connections in the technology and financial sectors and as a result, has a deep understanding of rapidly evolving companies at the top of their industries.”
Gary D. Cohn is an American business leader, investor and the former director of the U.S. National Economic Council. He is an internationally recognized expert on the financial markets, global economy, economic policy and U.S. politics.
Mr. Cohn is Vice Chairman of IBM, working in partnership with IBM’s Executive Leadership Team on a wide range of business initiatives and external engagement, in areas including business development, public advocacy and client relationship management.
Mr. Cohn served as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council from 2017-2018. As chief economic advisor to the president of the United States, Mr. Cohn managed the administration’s economic policy agenda and led the successful effort to grow the U.S. economy, create jobs and increase wages through tax and regulatory reform.
Before serving in the White House, Mr. Cohn was President and Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from 2006-2016. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1990 and held several other leadership positions including Global Co-Head of the Equities and Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Division. He was a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the Firmwide Client and Business Standards Committee.
Mr. Cohn began his career at U.S. Steel before moving to New York to trade on the New York Commodities Exchange from 1982-1990.
Mr. Cohn invests across the cybersecurity, block chain infrastructure, regulatory technology and medical technology sectors. He serves on the corporate boards of Abyrx, Gro Intelligence, Lazurite and Sotera and is the Chairman of the Board of Pallas Advisors. Additionally, Mr. Cohn serves on the advisory board for Starling. He is a member of the Systemic Resolution Advisory Committee (SRAC) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Mr. Cohn has long been dedicated to advancing healthcare and education. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of NYU Langone Health and serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board for the NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. He is also on the Board of Overseers of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. In 2019 Mr. Cohn was a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.
Mr. Cohn lives in New York with his wife and three daughters. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and received his undergraduate degree from American University in 1982.
My Speaker List
