Siobhan Sheils
Chief People Officer
Ms. Siobhan Sheils is the Chief People Officer of The Cohen Group. In this role, she 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 evolving policy and export control regimes, engage government and industry stakeholders, and pursue market expansion.
Prior to joining the 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 US government-wide policy planning around US-Cuba normalization. She led dozens of departments and agencies to advance policy and regulatory changes, including in telecommunications and internet service.
Prior to working at the White House, Ms. Sheils served at the US Department of State as Special Assistant to then-Deputy Secretary William Burns, then Deputy Secretary Tony Blinken, and former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman. Ms. Sheils received the State Department’s Superior Honor Award, as well as four Meritorious Honor awards.
She is an alumna of the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Global Women’s Leadership Program and a founding member of Chief’s Washington, DC chapter. She was a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Security Fellow at the Truman National Security Project. She is a frequent speaker with student and professional groups on national security, foreign policy, and leadership development. Ms. Sheils is a member of Women in Technology, a DC-based civic organization.
Ms. Sheils began her career teaching 8th grade English in the South Bronx and Newark, New Jersey. She holds master’s degrees in international relations, public relations, and secondary education. She is a certified yoga instructor and serves on the Board of Directors of Circle Yoga Cooperative, a studio based in Washington, DC.