GLI Morning Breakout Session: Engaging a New Administration and Congress

Joel Cohen is Director of Government Relations for the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), where he leads ADL’s federal advocacy efforts on international affairs and tech policy, specifically focused on combatting online hate and harassment. He began his career interning on Capitol Hill for United States Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland during his final semester at Syracuse University. Following graduation, he was hired full-time in the Senator’s personal office before transitioning to work for the Senator in his capacity as the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC). After a brief hiatus from the Hill, during which he obtained his M.P.A. from the University of Maryland, he returned to Capitol Hill as a Legislative Assistant focusing on foreign policy and gaming issues and was subsequently promoted to Legislative Director in the Office of Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District.

Dan Granot is ADL’s National Director of Antisemitism Policy, where he leads federal advocacy on efforts to combat antisemitism. He previously worked as an Assistant Director in AIPAC’s Policy and Government Affairs department, where he focused on progressive engagement, social movements, and economic issues, and as a research associate for a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution, where he focused on trilateral relations between Turkey, Israel, and the United States. Prior to that, he was a Graduate Fellow at the Israel Council on Foreign Relations in Jerusalem, and a Program Manager at the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, where he focused on water dialogue in Iraq and Syria. Dan has also worked on development projects in India, Thailand, and Fiji. He earned his master’s degree in Foreign Service at Georgetown University and holds bachelor’s degrees in Global Development and Government & Politics, specializing in international development and conflict management, from the University of Maryland.

Lauren Wolman is ADL’s Director of Federal Policy and Strategy where she leads ADL’s engagement on Capitol Hill. She leads federal advocacy on key issues including extremism, national security, appropriations, and hate crimes. Lauren previously worked on Capitol Hill for 13 years, where she focused on efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, combat antisemitism, and fight hate in all forms. She served as the Floor Director and Legislative Director for Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Chief Deputy Whip and senior member of the Appropriations Committee. She also worked for her hometown representative, Congressman Brad Sherman where she ultimately became his Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff. Lauren was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.