Ambassador Herman J. Cohen (Ret)
Receiving the AFSA Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy award. Courtesy AFSA / Joaquin Sosá
As an ambassador, advisor to Presidents, and a 38-year veteran of the Foreign Service, Ambassador Herman J. Cohen has devoted his entire professional career to African and European affairs.
Over the years, Cohen grew to know every first-generation African leader – from Mandela, to Mobutu, to Moammar Gaddafi.
During his tenure as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during the first Bush Administration, and through his role at the NSC in the Reagan White House, Cohen worked to bring about peaceful transitions of power in South Africa and Namibia, and helped to end conflicts in Angola, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.
Experience
President and CEO, Cohen and Woods International (1994-2021)
Board of Directors, Hyperdynamics Oil and Gas (2009-2019)
Professorial lecturer, Africa Studies, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (1998-2010)
Senior Advisor, Global Coalition for Africa (1993-1998)
Assistant Secretary of State for Africa (1989-1993)
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa, National Security Council (1987-1989)
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (1980-1984)
U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, Gambia (1977-1980)
Director for Central African Affairs (Department of State) (1969-1974)
Chief of Mission, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (1968-1969)
Awards
The National Security Book Award of 2023, American College of National Security Leaders (ACNSL)
Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy, American Foreign Service Association
Career Ambassador, U.S. Foreign Service
French Legion of Honor
Belgian Order of Leopold II
2000 Douglas Dillon Award for Best Writing On Diplomatic Practice
Townsend Harris Award for Outstanding Career Achievement, CCNY Alumni Association