Howard Cohen’s path blends engineering precision with a lifelong commitment to community, learning, and Jewish life. From leading public-sector consulting projects to serving in key leadership roles at KBI, his experiences reflect both professional depth and personal purpose. From boardrooms to archaeological digs, Howard reflects on his journey with Communications & Marketing Committee member Suzan Zilahi. The photo of Howard is at the military wall that encircles Dubrovnik.
1. Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in a Jewish home in Forest Hill, Toronto. While my family was not particularly observant, I had my Bar Mitzvah at Beth Tzedec and attended Hebrew school there.
2. When did shul life become important to you?
Shul life became more important after I got married, and especially once my wife, Cathy and I began raising our family. When we moved to Ottawa in 1990 with young children, building a strong Jewish life became a priority for both of us.
That commitment grew into leadership roles at shul. I started serving on the board of Agudath Israel in 2005, became VP in 2007 and President in 2009. I returned as Vice-President of KBI in 2023. I’m deeply involved in our Life & Legacy program, helping to encourage planned giving, and I chair the Synagogue’s Security Advisory Committee.
3. Was there a defining moment that inspired you to study engineering?
There wasn’t one defining moment. I always enjoyed science and applied science and I developed a keen interest in computers in high school.
After graduating, I joined Crown Life Insurance as a programmer and eventually became a director in the systems department. I was hired by PricewaterhouseCoopers (just Price Waterhouse at the time) as a technology consultant. After transferring to Ottawa to work on Federal Government technology projects, I was made a partner.
In 1999, I spent two years working in Washington, D.C. with PricewaterhouseCoopers, which led to consulting work across the United States. I later became an IBM partner after it acquired PwC’s consulting group and retired in 2006. Then, I started my own company consulting on strategic technology projects in Canada and the United States.
4. Has your faith shaped your life and career?
Judaism has shaped how I live, learn, and engage with the community. My Jewish life has deepened over time through study, leadership, and travel.
5. Does spirituality play a role in how you make decisions?
Spirituality informs how I approach responsibility, learning and community.
In 2023, I joined an archaeological dig in the Galilee, near Nazareth, working at an ancient Roman-era Jewish village. Excavating in the mornings and learning from leading scholars in the afternoon, brought ancient Jewish history and culture vividly to life.
Another meaningful experience was traveling to Tanzania with Rabbi Kenter in 2019 to deliver a Torah to a Jewish community in Arusha. Experiences like these deepen my appreciation for the diverse Jewish life and customs around the world.
6. If you could have dinner with any Jewish figure, past or present, who would it be and why?
It’s hard to choose just one. Flavius Josephus would satisfy my curiosity about the dramatic events of the first century, since he experienced them firsthand before becoming their historian. I would also choose Rashi, who has long been one of my homiletical heroes.
7. How do you relax?
Fitness is an important part of my life. In the summer, I play tennis regularly, and in the winter, I enjoy cross-country skiing on nearby trails. I also attend aerobics and fitness classes at the JCC and work weekly with a personal trainer.
8. Do you ever get mixed up with the other Howard Cohen?
All the time. It has led to confusion over the years—emails and even charitable acknowledgements meant for one of us ending up with the other. People sometimes assume I’m the doctor and begin asking medical questions, which has become a running joke.