As the Founder and CEO of the Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) in Dallas, Alan Cohen is dedicated to breaking intergenerational poverty and promoting economic mobility. At CPAL, he employs a range of cutting-edge tools and techniques, including data analysis, innovation, and design, to develop local strategies that address issues such as housing, safety, health, criminal justice, and neighborhood resourcing. Cohen's work at CPAL is focused on finding innovative solutions that will help break the cycle of poverty and empower individuals and families to achieve greater economic stability and success.

Before his current position, Cohen made significant contributions to the field of early childhood education. He is widely recognized for his role in revisioning early childhood education at Dallas ISD. He is also actively involved in several advisory and governing boards, including United To Learn, Dallas Thrives, Groundwork Dallas, and the Commit Partnership.

Cohen holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Sociology from Tulane University.