Barbara Cohn

Barbara Cohn is a consultant with Xentity Corporation and the Chief Data Officer at the Colorado Department of Transportation. An expert in public policy, Barbara has held multiple leadership roles in state and local government. Barbara operates at the intersection of business, data, policy, technology, and people - challenging entrenched thinking, inspiring new interpretations and innovative solutions.

Barbara previously served as New York State’s first Chief Data Officer. In 2016, Barbara was recognized by Government Technology Magazine as a Top 25 Doer, Dreamer, & Driver. In 2020 and 2021, Barbara was recognized as one of CDO Magazine’s Global Data Power Women. She has an extensive background in advancing the utilization of data as a strategic asset with the objective of turning raw data into actionable knowledge. Barbara was the chief architect of the NYS acclaimed open data portal.

Prior to serving as NYS Chief Data Officer, Barbara worked for NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg where she advanced implementation of HHS Connect, a cutting-edge data sharing initiative breaking down information silos to optimize the delivery of health and human services and client outcomes. Barbara is a graduate of Union College and Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School.