Next month, U.S. Ambassador David L. Cohen will bid goodbye to Canada’s capital city, his home away from home for the past four years.
Cohen stepped into the ambassadorship in December 2021 after being appointed to the role by U.S. President Joe Biden. Originally from New York, Cohen started his career as a lawyer, then served as chief of staff for former Philadelphia mayor Edward G. Rendell from 1992 to 1997.
He joined tech giant Comcast in 2002, heading its communications department and serving as senior adviser to the CEO. He was also the company’s first chief diversity officer, the start of a passion that he carried into his work in Ottawa.
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With a new administration taking over in 2025, Cohen is vacating the ambassador’s residence in Rockliffe Park, proud of the achievements from his time in office.
In this instalment of My Ottawa, Cohen reflects on his favourite place to grab a bite near the U.S. embassy, his unusual sanctuary for finding moments of peace, and what he’ll miss most about Canada’s capital as he prepares to return to Philadelphia.
What area of the city/region do you live in?
I reside in Rockcliffe Park, behind the Ottawa River, in a residence known as Lornado.
Lornado has been the official residence of the United States ambassador to Canada since 1935. It was built in 1908 for an American-born, Ottawa-based industrialist named Warren Y. Soper, who named it Lornado after his favourite novel, Lorna Doone. I’ve had the opportunity to host many memorable events at Lornado, including three epic annual U.S. Independence Day celebrations. Last summer, we welcomed about 4,000 guests! These events have gathered colleagues and friends from across Canada, including representatives from government, the diplomatic community, the private sector, the non-profit community, the arts and culture community, and friends and neighbours – each time giving us the opportunity to demonstrate the closeness of our two countries.
What’s your favourite part of town?
I don’t spend as much time in Ottawa as I’d like and when I’m here much of it is spent on Parliament Hill or at the U.S. Embassy. As a government junky, I love Parliament Hill — the heart of Canadian democracy. For moments of peaceful reflection, I’ve become a big fan of Beechwood Cemetery. While it might seem unusual to choose a cemetery as a favourite spot, it’s a beautiful and serene place steeped in history. I also love arts and culture and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring the National Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Canada. I’ve also taken advantage of Ottawa’s rich museum offerings, including the War Museum, the Aviation Museum, and the Museum of Canadian History.
Can you share your favourite place to eat in Ottawa?
For lunch and comfort food, I love The King Eddy restaurant. It’s located in Ottawa’s historical ByWard Market, just a two-minute walk from the U.S. Embassy. The ‘Eddy’ is home to Ottawa’s best burger, but I also love the chicken strips and the milkshakes. The only downside: being a Pepsi establishment, the Eddy does not serve my drink of choice – Diet Coke.
Did you develop a favorite hobby while in Ottawa?
I have always been a passionate sports fan – it’s something I’ve shared with my two sons – and that passion naturally extends to hockey, Canada’s beloved national sport. During my tenure, I’ve taken the opportunity to support and grow a “hockey diplomacy” program at Mission Canada, as I am a big believer in using the power of sports to advance our diplomatic goals. When thoughtfully and strategically leveraged, sports like hockey can serve as a platform to champion foreign policy priorities, such as inclusion, youth empowerment, gender equity, health and wellness, conflict resolution, and entrepreneurism. Sports diplomacy is uniquely powerful because it bridges divides, connecting people across languages, cultures, and borders.
We’ve embraced a wide range of sports programming, from attending Sens games to enthusiastically supporting the newly established PWHL and professional women’s hockey. Beyond hockey, we’ve cheered on soccer, Titans baseball, Redblacks football, and even local college sports and attending the World Curling Championships.
One of the highlights of our hockey diplomacy program was a collaboration with Ambassador Hillman and the Canadian Embassy on a 170-person hockey diplomacy mission to Philadelphia, my hometown, to play the first Ambassador Cup challenge match featuring the U.S. Embassy hockey team taking on the Canadian Embassy hockey team and other exhibitions. This mission also included the Ottawa Capital City Condors, an adaptive hockey program. The team and a group of parents joined us and participated in a number of exhibition games, including with teams from the Snider Foundation’s hockey program for underprivileged youth. We also took the Condors and the two embassies’ teams to historic Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, as well as a visit to the Rocky Steps and an Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers game at the Wells Fargo Center. The mission culminated in the inaugural Ambassador’s Cup Challenge, where our embassy hockey teams faced off — a true testament to the unifying power of sports diplomacy. It’s been an incredible journey using sports to foster connections and drive meaningful change.
Can you share about a festival in Ottawa that you enjoyed going to?
Ottawa is a great city for festivals. Most recently, I loved attending Ottawa’s sixth annual World Multicultural Festival at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in November. The event brought together hundreds of people and was organized by dedicated volunteers committed to increasing awareness of diversity and inclusivity among Canada’s many multicultural communities. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Ottawa Jazz Festival – both the vibrant summer version and the cozy winter celebration.
Can you share about a memorable experience at an Ottawa live music or entertainment venue?
I have lots of these. Watching Come From Away, the Broadway show about Gander and the unbelievable role the residents of the city played in the aftermath of Sept. 11 was certainly one highlight. I’d seen the show in the United States – on Broadway – but seeing it in Canada with a Canadian audience and following my own visit to Gander was so special. Then there was the historic visit of the world-class Philadelphia Orchestra to Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, featuring the return of music and artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin to Canada. What a set of sold-out performances, each of them ending with a sustained standing ovation! The Governor General’s awards are always an inspiring favourite – I’ve been to three of them. And then there was the launch of the PWHL last January, where I attended the first game of Ottawa’s PWHL team, now known as the Ottawa Charge. The team’s then record-setting home opener at TD Place Arena stands out as one of my most memorable experiences here in Ottawa – it was a true goosebump moment witnessing those extraordinary women athletes skate onto the ice for the first time. Seeing the support that the league has received from everyone is remarkable.
That night was the culmination of years of incredible commitment, hard work, and the realization of a dream finally becoming reality for the players and fans alike. And it was a great moment for the cause of gender equity. Seeing all the young women and girls in the audience watching and realizing that they could, one day, be on that ice was really inspiring. With girls’ hockey being the fastest growing youth sport in Canada, there is now a chance for those young hockey players to see their heroes play and live out their own hockey dreams.
I’ve been a season ticketholder since day one and I plan to continue to cheer on the league and the Ottawa Charge, even when I return to Philadelphia.
What Ottawa personality, past or present, do you admire?
I am going to broaden this question to express my deep admiration for the Capital City Condors and the organization’s commitment to create life-changing opportunities for underserved youth and individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities to participate in sport. Those young people define the word “inspiration” for me. Through the inclusive approach of the Condors, the team and program, under the leadership and stewardship of founder Jim Perkins and his wife, embody the spirit of community, providing players of all ages and abilities with personal care, attention, and a chance to experience the joy of hockey.
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with the Condors on multiple occasions, including during a ceremonial puck drop at a mixed scrimmage featuring Condors players, the Ottawa 67s, and the U.S. Embassy team. One of my most prized possessions from my time in Canada is the official Condors hockey jersey that the team presented to me. The Condors remind us of the transformative power of sport and its ability to bring people together, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.
What is your most memorable event or conference in Ottawa?
During my time as ambassador, I’ve had the privilege of attending many incredible events, but President Joe Biden’s visit to Ottawa in March 2023 was a real standout. His visit was a powerful reminder of the depth of the U.S.-Canada partnership and the significance of the work that we do every day at Mission Canada to strengthen this bond. The warmth of the reception by Canadians – the respect among leaders – the consistent message of friendship and allyship – were all enduring hallmarks of the visit.
The president’s visit was an opportunity to reflect on the progress made under the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership, the comprehensive framework for our relationship announced by President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau in February 2021. That framework has guided Mission Canada’s work for the past three years and that visit really brought the principles of the roadmap to life for me.
I think President Biden characterized the relationship best during his speech to Parliament when he said, “Our destinies are intertwined and they’re inseparable … Not because of the inevitability of geography, but because it’s a choice — a choice we’ve made again and again.” And I would add, a choice we will continue to make.
What local business or attraction do you think is one of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets?
One of Ottawa’s best-kept secrets, and my favorite ice cream shop in Canada, is Merry Dairy. This local gem started with a vintage food truck inspired by classic American ice cream trucks, bringing a taste of U.S.-style soft-serve to the Ottawa community. Drawing from her roots on a dairy farm, owner Marlene Haley recognized Ottawa’s craving for a premium ice cream experience and turned her vision into reality. Today, Merry Dairy boasts a charming storefront and a fleet of brightly decorated trucks, each adorned with its signature graphics. Over the years, it has become a cherished local business, celebrated not only for its mouthwatering treats, but also for its welcoming spirit and dedication to inclusivity.
What will you miss the most about your time in Ottawa?
This is an easy question. As my time with Mission Canada draws to a close, what I will miss the most are the people. I’ll deeply miss my incredible Mission Canada team – the 1,400 diplomats and staff from 65 different countries working tirelessly at our embassy and seven consulates across Canada.
I’ll also miss the many wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of meeting in Ottawa and across this magnificent country. Canadians have always welcomed me warmly into their communities and homes and that kindness has left a lasting impression. Over the years, I’ve been able to travel from coast to coast to coast, connecting with thousands of Canadians in every province and territory. It’s been an extraordinary journey spanning nearly 240,000 kilometres – 62 per cent of the distance to the moon – and the people have truly made it unforgettable. Thank you, Canada.
