Ambassador David L. Cohen Invests in Athena Global Advisors
Backing will support long-term growth of innovative marketing consultancy.
Athena Global Advisors today announced that Former Ambassador David L. Cohen, a nationally recognized civic and business leader, is making a significant investment in Athena, the Philadelphia-based, full-service consultancy founded and helmed by CEO Maggy Wilkinson.
Cohen also joins Athena’s board as non-executive Vice Chair, a role in which he will support Athena’s position as a cutting-edge, modern professional services firm that brings together leading communications, marketing, public affairs and advocacy, and strategic advisory talent with statewide, national, and global reach.
Ambassador Cohen said it’s the right time to invest in Athena, which he described as an innovative, 21st-century business model poised for growth.
Maggyandherteamaredesigningamodernmarketing,advertising,andconsultingplatformfortoday’scomplexandrapidlychangingmarketplace.Sheischartinganewwayforward:acommunicationsandadvisorymodelbuilthereinPhiladelphiaforabroadmarketofnationalandinternationalclients.
David L. Cohen
Vice Chair, Athena Board & Former United States Ambassador to Canada
Since founding Athena in 2013, Wilkinson has grown the company into a more than 150-person consultancy serving leading national and global organizations across industries, with clients including Comcast NBCUniversal, the NFL, Subaru of America, Hitachi, and Liberty Latin America.
Athena’s work spans strategy through execution: helping Philadelphia secure its role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; launching its relationship with the NFL through Huddle for 100, which engaged more than one million participants and generated an estimated $168 million in economic impact; supporting Subaru of America with creative development and execution for initiatives across the company; and building the brand, campaign, and event experience behind the triumphant return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic in 2026.
In February, Athena announced a merger with Ceisler Media & Issue AdvocacyBlog post preview: Athena Global Advisors and Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy Announce Merger. Athena Global Advisors and Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy announce a merger that will expand and integrate their portfolios of client services., the Philadelphia-based communications, media strategy, and public relations firm led by Larry Ceisler. Ceisler Media continues to operate independently as an Athena company, with the firms collaborating on client projects and proposals.
“Organizations today want more than traditional models of launching new products or campaigns,” Wilkinson said. “They’re seeking true partners who can guide them through an entire journey from strategy to execution, working alongside them. I am proud that David understands and embraces my vision and look forward to sharing in our successes together.”
Ceisler, who has had a working relationship with Wilkinson since 2020, said the merger with Athena has underscored their firms’ shared values and goals: to cultivate strong partnerships, think strategically, and acclimate to changing landscapes.
“This is also a meaningful investment in the long-term future of Ceisler Media and our team,” Larry Ceisler said. “From day one, the merger with Athena has brought together our firms’ complementary expertise, relationships, and capabilities, allowing us both to better serve our clients. We look forward to many years of strong collaboration and growth.”
Ambassador Cohen noted that he has had the chance to work with both Athena and Ceisler over the years and has been impressed with the quality of the firms’ work and the strength of its people. He also cited his excitement about the vision of the company going forward.
Wilkinson will retain majority control of the firm following Cohen’s investment.
Byadaptingtochangingclientneeds,Athenahasevolvedintoanaction-orientedfirmthatdoesn’tjustadvisebutdelivers.Thisisapowerfulvalidationofthemomentumwearebuilding,andI’mmoreexcitedthaneverforthenextchapter.
Maggy Wilkinson
CEO of Athena Global Advisors
About David L. Cohen
Nominated by President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, David L. Cohen served as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada from 2021 to 2025. Before his tenure in the State Department, Ambassador Cohen served as Senior Advisor to the CEO and Senior Executive Vice President of Comcast NBCUniversal and as a practicing lawyer. He is President of Pick Pennsylvania, the official host committee for the effort by Philadelphia to attract the Democratic National Convention to Philadelphia in 2028. Ambassador Cohen’s commitment to the arts and civics includes his time as chief of staff to former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell; and board memberships with The Philadelphia Citizen Media Group, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Ensemble Arts, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Meridian International Group and the Joe and Jill Biden Foundation, as well as his role as an honorary trustee of the Barnes Foundation.
About Athena Global Advisors
Athena services an expansive portfolio of clients in media, telecommunications, sports and entertainment, transportation, consumer brands, and the nonprofit sector. Wilkinson was named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2025 “Most Admired CEOs,” and Athena was named one of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Top Workplaces four years in a row.
About Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy
Founded in 1995, Ceisler Media is a full-service strategic communications firm with offices in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, and staff across Pennsylvania. Ceisler’s client relationships include Fortune 50 companies, small businesses, government agencies and nonprofits.