Communications and government affairs pro brings expansive network, tech and health care expertise to Cogent
WASHINGTON (Jan. 13, 2021) – Cogent Strategies, a certified woman-owned small business specializing in government relations, communications and digital analytics, today announced that seasoned Democratic communications and government affairs strategist Edda Collins Coleman has joined the firm as a managing director. Coleman has spent the past two decades connecting people, politics, media and brands, providing candid counsel to Fortune 1000 companies, nonprofits and political organizations with tangible results.
“I am pleased to welcome such a dynamic communicator and political expert to the Cogent team. Edda’s hire will strengthen our bipartisan bench of strategists and deepen our reach into the incoming Biden-Harris administration,” said Cogent CEO Kimberley Fritts. “Edda’s work and dedication to gender equity, social justice and women in politics is commendable, and the insights she has gained and network she has built through these efforts will be an invaluable asset to Cogent clients across the board.”
“Edda has a proven track record as someone who is passionate about good governance,” said U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). “Her devotion to fostering unity around issues that matter is more important today than ever before. I believe she will be a valuable addition to Cogent Strategies.”
Coleman joins Cogent from the Executive Leadership Council, the preeminent organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives, where she directed government affairs strategy, communications, and partnership development. In the lead-up to the November election, Coleman drove fundraising and voter turnout efforts through Women for Biden and Small Business for Biden.
“I’m so thrilled to join Cogent as it continues building its communications and government affairs team, advocating for clients in the health care and tech verticals,” Coleman said. “In a time when it’s more important than ever, Cogent’s mission of creating new opportunities, ideas and conversations for clients through a bipartisan approach is exciting. I’m looking forward to helping our clients advocate their vision and tell their stories.”
Earlier in her career, Coleman was the head of partnerships at the CSpence Group. Her love of politics led to the creation of the All In Together Campaign (AIT), a nonpartisan women’s organization committed to closing the gaps in politics to advance the progress of women’s civic leadership. Before founding AIT, Edda developed direct action campaigns and served as a communications advisor and media coach to senior leadership and C-suite executive health care and technology clients at Hill + Knowlton and the Polsinelli law firm.
Coleman also understands the intersection of tech and advocacy, having previously served in advisory roles to technology companies. She is a current member of the Advisory Board for Civic Eagle, a tech firm that utilizes software as a service (SAAS) technology to better discover, track and collaborate on state and federal legislation.
A longtime advocate for those with sickle cell disease, Coleman served on the board of directors of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) for five years and later served as chair of the government relations committee and interim CEO. While with SCDAA, Coleman played a pivotal role in establishing the Congressional Sickle Cell Caucus and engaged closely with the Congressional Black Caucus, members of Congress and health organizations who cared deeply for those with sickle cell disease.
“Edda is a skilled and talented strategist who has shown a capacity to solve tough challenges. She has a proven ability for reaching across the aisle and creating both understanding and bipartisan consensus around difficult issues,” said Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax County). “Cogent Strategies is lucky to have her as an addition to their team.”
Coleman currently serves a number of community, social impact and civic organizations. She is on the national board of directors for Facing History, was a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth Board of Trustees and an adjunct professor with American University’s School of Communications. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Links, Incorporated.
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Cogent Strategies, a certified woman-owned small business, is a boutique bipartisan government relations, strategic communications and digital advocacy firm. Cogent team members focus on what they do best and what they are passionate about: solving big problems and seizing big opportunities—and staying ahead of the curve when it comes to how opinions are shaped, how audiences absorb and engage with media, and how policies gain political momentum. For more about Cogent, visit www.cogent-strategies.com.