Gary Cohn

Gary Cohn
Born	Gary David Cohn 27 8, 1960
Birthplace	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive, economic policy advisor
Title	Vice Chairman of IBM
Known for	President and COO of Goldman Sachs; 11th Director of the National Economic Council
Education	American University (BS)
Children	3

Gary David Cohn (born August 27, 1960) is an American business executive, economic policy advisor, and philanthropist whose career has spanned more than three decades at the highest levels of American finance and government. He is known for his 25-year tenure at Goldman Sachs, where he rose from a commodities trader to become president and chief operating officer of one of the world's most powerful investment banks. In January 2017, Cohn left Goldman Sachs to serve as the 11th Director of the National Economic Council and chief economic advisor to President Donald Trump, a position he held until April 2018. During his time in the White House, Cohn managed the administration's economic policy agenda and played a central role in the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Following his departure from government service, Cohn became a venture capital investor and advisor in several sectors, including cybersecurity and blockchain technology, and was appointed vice chairman of IBM in January 2021.

Early Life

Gary David Cohn was born on August 27, 1960, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in the Cleveland area, where he faced significant academic challenges as a child. Cohn has spoken publicly about his struggles with dyslexia, a learning disability that made traditional schooling difficult for him during his formative years. Despite these obstacles, he developed a keen aptitude for numbers and problem-solving that would later serve him on Wall Street.

Cohn's path to a career in finance was unconventional. According to a widely reported account, his entry into Wall Street began with a chance encounter. While visiting New York, Cohn talked his way into sharing a cab with a commodities trader and, through persistence and persuasion, secured an opportunity to work on a trading floor despite having no formal training in finance. This origin story has become a well-known anecdote in financial circles, illustrating both Cohn's determination and his ability to seize opportunity in unexpected circumstances.

Cohn has been involved in Jewish community and philanthropic activities. The Cohn Jewish Student Center at Kent State University's Hillel was dedicated in his name, reflecting his family's commitment to Jewish campus life. He has also addressed the Capital Friends of Hillel, demonstrating an ongoing connection to Jewish student organizations.

Education

Cohn attended American University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Kogod School of Business. Despite the academic difficulties he experienced earlier in life due to dyslexia, Cohn completed his undergraduate studies and went on to build a career that would take him to the pinnacle of American finance. He has returned to American University on multiple occasions as a speaker, reflecting his continued relationship with the institution.

Career

Goldman Sachs (1990–2016)

Cohn joined Goldman Sachs in the early 1990s, beginning his career at the firm in commodities trading. Over the course of more than 25 years at the bank, he rose through the ranks to become one of its most senior executives. His ascent within Goldman Sachs was marked by his skill in trading and risk management, as well as his ability to navigate the complex internal politics of one of Wall Street's most competitive institutions.

By 2006, Cohn had been elevated to the position of president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs, serving under CEO Lloyd Blankfein. In this role, Cohn oversaw the day-to-day operations of the global financial institution and was considered a potential successor to Blankfein as CEO, though the question of succession remained a subject of speculation in financial media for years.

Cohn's tenure at Goldman Sachs coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in American financial history. During the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and its aftermath, Goldman Sachs faced intense scrutiny from Congress and regulators regarding its role in the mortgage-backed securities market. In June 2010, Cohn testified before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, defending the firm's practices and asserting that Goldman Sachs did not bet against its own clients.

Throughout his time as president and COO, Cohn was a prominent figure in discussions about financial regulation, global economic policy, and the direction of the banking industry. The Wall Street Journal tracked his activities and public statements as a key voice within Goldman Sachs and the broader financial sector.

Director of the National Economic Council (2017–2018)

In December 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint Cohn as director of the National Economic Council, making him the administration's chief economic advisor. Cohn formally assumed the position on January 20, 2017, succeeding Jeff Zients, who had served in the role under President Barack Obama.

As NEC director, Cohn emerged as a central figure in the Trump administration's economic policymaking apparatus. According to a Wall Street Journal report in February 2017, Cohn had become "an economic policy powerhouse" within the administration, wielding significant influence over the direction of tax reform, regulatory policy, and infrastructure planning. Within the internal dynamics of the White House, Cohn was reported to be part of a faction that favored a more centrist, business-friendly approach to economic policy, sometimes placing him at odds with nationalist and protectionist voices within the administration.

Cohn's signature achievement during his time in the White House was his leading role in developing and securing passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, a comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. tax code that reduced corporate tax rates and restructured individual income tax brackets. The legislation represented the most significant change to American tax policy in decades and was signed into law by President Trump in December 2017.

Cohn resigned from his position as NEC director on March 6, 2018, with his departure effective April 2, 2018. His resignation came shortly after President Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, a policy Cohn opposed. He was succeeded by Larry Kudlow.

Post-Government Career

Following his departure from the White House, Cohn transitioned into roles as an advisor and investor in the private sector. He became involved in several emerging technology sectors, including cybersecurity, blockchain infrastructure, and medical technology.

In November 2019, it was reported that Cohn had partnered with Hoyos Integrity, a startup company employing biometric blockchain technology for secure communications and digital payments. Cohn joined the company's Board of Advisors, signaling his interest in the intersection of financial technology and security.

Cohn also became chairman of the advisory board at Pallas Advisors, a national security strategic advisory firm based in Washington, D.C., bridging his experience in finance and government service.

On January 5, 2021, Cohn was appointed vice chairman of IBM, a role in which he has continued to serve as of 2026. In this capacity, Cohn has become a frequent commentator on economic policy and business conditions, appearing regularly on major news programs.

Public Commentary on Economic Policy

In his role as IBM vice chairman and as a former senior government official, Cohn has remained an active voice in American economic policy debates. He has appeared on CBS News's Face the Nation on multiple occasions, offering analysis of Federal Reserve policy, the labor market, and the impact of trade policy on the American economy.

In September 2025, Cohn commented on the state of the American labor market, stating that "we've seen the job market degrade," though he suggested the trend might be "temporary." He attributed some of the labor market challenges facing companies to the uncertainty created by trade policy, noting that businesses in "very difficult" competitive environments were affected.

Also in September 2025, Cohn stated that tariffs were raising the cost of doing business and contributing to difficulties in the job market, telling Yahoo Finance that tariffs were "the reason you're having a hard time finding a job."

In February 2026, Cohn addressed the nomination of Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, stating on Face the Nation that Warsh was "very highly qualified" and would "take the Fed back to its traditional" norms.

During the same period, Cohn described the American economy as following a "K-shaped" trajectory, in which Americans at the top of the income distribution were experiencing "massive wealth" while workers at lower income levels were "suffering."

In a January 2026 appearance on the BBC, Cohn commented on geopolitical matters, declaring that "Greenland will stay Greenland" amid discussions regarding Greenland and linking the subject to broader strategic considerations.

Personal Life

Gary Cohn has three children. He is based in the Washington, D.C., area and New York.

Cohn has been open about his experience with dyslexia, which he has described as both a significant challenge and, in retrospect, a factor that shaped his resilience and problem-solving abilities. He has spoken publicly about these experiences in an effort to raise awareness of learning disabilities.

Cohn has been active in philanthropic endeavors, particularly in support of Jewish campus organizations. The Cohn Jewish Student Center at Kent State University's Hillel was dedicated in recognition of his family's contributions. He has also spoken at events for the Capital Friends of Hillel, reflecting his long-standing engagement with Jewish communal life.

In January 2019, Cohn participated in a public discussion at Harvard University's Institute of Politics, where he served as a fellow. He appeared alongside former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp in a study group, and the pair criticized the then-ongoing government shutdown.

Recognition

Cohn's career at Goldman Sachs and his service in the White House have made him one of the more prominent figures at the intersection of American finance and government. His appointment as NEC director was covered as a major personnel decision by news outlets including The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg News.

Following his government service, Cohn was named a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics, where he led study groups and participated in public discussions on economic policy and governance.

Cohn has been represented by the Harry Walker Agency as a public speaker, reflecting demand for his perspectives on economic policy, financial markets, and the intersection of business and government.

His continued media presence — including regular appearances on Face the Nation, BBC News, and in major financial publications — has sustained his profile as a commentator on American economic conditions.

Legacy

Gary Cohn's career trajectory — from a dyslexic student in Cleveland to the presidency of Goldman Sachs and a senior White House role — has been cited as an example of unconventional paths to success in American business and government. His tenure at Goldman Sachs, spanning more than two decades, placed him at the center of major developments in global finance, including the 2008 financial crisis and its regulatory aftermath.

As NEC director, Cohn was a principal architect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, one of the most consequential pieces of economic legislation enacted during the Trump administration. His resignation over the administration's tariff policies underscored the internal policy disagreements that characterized the early Trump White House and highlighted the tensions between free-trade advocates and protectionists within the Republican policy coalition.

In his post-government career, Cohn has continued to shape economic discourse through his role at IBM and his public commentary. His observations on the "K-shaped" economy and the effects of tariffs on American workers have contributed to ongoing debates about trade policy, income inequality, and the structure of the U.S. labor market. His engagement with emerging technologies through advisory roles at companies like Hoyos Integrity has also reflected the broader trend of senior financial and government figures moving into technology-adjacent roles in the post-service phase of their careers.