KELLY COHEN

Partner, The Southern Group, Orlando

The Southern Group is Florida’s largest lobbying firm, with offices across the state and the Southeast and a team of 60-plus experts who work on complex policy and regulatory issues at every level of government. Since joining in 2005, Cohen has led multiple initiatives, including leading the launch of the firm’s first regional office in Orlando and building a local government practice from the ground up. “When I started, there were few women in the room and local government lobbying was barely on the map,” Cohen says. “I’ve worked to change that — by leading with purpose, opening doors for women, and showing the power and potential of cities and counties as engines of innovation and commerce.”

EDUCATION: University of Maryland (BA), Nova Southeastern (JD)

FIRST JOB: Stocking shelves at my grandfather’s drugstore. He was a serial entrepreneur who showed me, early on, that hard work, integrity and community connection are the foundation of any successful business.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: Torn between chasing stories as a photojournalist or shaping them as the head of a publishing house. Either way, I’d be telling powerful stories and connecting people to things that are bigger than themselves. One captures the world in a moment, the other shapes how the world sees it.

IMPACT ON A MENTEE: Mentorship, to me, is about guiding others to step into their authentic power. I helped one founder shift from a transactional mindset to one rooted in relationships and long-term value — a transformation that helped inspire her to launch a school which empowers female entrepreneurs. I also mentor others on building financial independence through investing and ownership because true empowerment means owning both your voice and your wealth.