Alison Cohen
Alison is a senior consultant to Ball Consulting Group, specializing in strategic communications and media and public relations.
In January 2023, Alison stepped down from her role as Communications Director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), where she led communications during the 24/7 public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The response included the rollout of the most expansive public vaccination effort in state history accompanied by a multichannel public information campaign; the launch of the state’s Vaccine Equity Initiative in 20 cities; and the Trusted Sources initiative she devised, enlisting public figures such as Alex Cora and David Ortiz of the Red Sox, Celtics star Grant Williams, and many others to champion COVID vaccination.
Prior to DPH, she directed media relations for Education Development Center (EDC), a global nonprofit with health and education projects in 20 countries. At EDC, she consulted to all divisions and corporate offices, maintained an extensive media list, and landed key placements in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, NPR, among many others.
Previously, Alison managed media relations for the Massachusetts Hospital Association, coordinating their Campaign for Coverage to increase health coverage for the uninsured, a program that earned statewide and national recognition.
Alison started her career as a radio reporter and she has made a demonstrated commitment to nonprofit and public sector organizations. She has a keen understanding of the workings of government, having worked for local, state and federal agencies.
Alison earned her Master of Science in Broadcast Journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Clark University.