Molly Elgin-Cossart

Molly Elgin-Cossart Director, Markle Foundation Washington, District Of Columbia Connect Connect with Molly Elgin-Cossart Markle Foundation Stanford University See contact info 500+ connections I am passionate about public policy and social impact. I've worked across sectors (business, non-profits and government) and across the aisle (I'm one of the few folks in Washington who has worked for both the Center for American Progress and the Cato Institute.) My work focuses on the policies and practices that ensure equal opportunity for everyone in the digital economy, and that no one is left behind. As part of that mission, I am currently Director of the Rework America Task Force, focused on how businesses, educational institutions, and policy can support opportunity for middle-class American workers in the face of structural economic change and new technologies. Previously, as a Principal at the Omidyar Network, an impact investing firm, I focused on innovations like digital ID and implications for global development. Before that, as Senior Fellow at multiple think tanks and as Chief of Staff of the United Nations High-level Panel that produced the groundwork for what are now the Sustainable Development Goals, I worked with governments, businesses, and advocates across the globe to design, negotiate and implement an ambitious set of objectives to be translated into policy and practice. Show less Show less of Molly’s summary Articles & activity 1,546 followers 20 Governors join Skillful Network to promote workforce and economic development Molly’s profile photo Molly Elgin-Cossart Published on LinkedIn Workers are the fuel of a dynamic economy. In December 2017, 5.8 million open jobs were posted in the U.S., but employers complain they are unable to effectively fill many of them given low levels of unemployment. At the same time, many workers - especially those without a college degree - feel left behind. What explains this paradox? According to Georgetown University, of the 11.6 million jobs created since the 2008 recession, 1.5 have gone to those with some college education, and the vast majority of those to people with a 4-year degree. Part of the problem is that employers are often stuck in old ways of thinking recruiting and hiring, leading to a divided labor market. That's why Markle Foundation is working to transform the labor market to focus more on skills, rather than just credentials - creating opportunities for a broader group of Americans. We believe that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. And I'm thrilled that policymakers are paying attention. Today, 20 Governors from all over the nation - and from both parties - are joining together to form the Skillful Network, dedicated to workforce development. Interested in the future of work, workforce and economic development? Learn more about Markle Foundation's work here. 29 Likes Like Comment Share See all articles No alt text provided for this image Way to go, Tammy! Molly commented No alternative text description for this image Congrats! Amazing progress! Molly commented See all activity Experience Markle Foundation Director Company NameMarkle Foundation Dates EmployedSep 2017 – Present Employment Duration1 yr 9 mos LocationWashington D.C. Director of the ReWork America Task Force, a group of business, labor, technology, academic and policy leaders working to transform America’s labor market through pilots, partnerships, and policy. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Visiting Scholar Company NameCarnegie Endowment for International Peace Dates EmployedSep 2017 – Present Employment Duration1 yr 9 mos LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area Technology and International Affairs Omidyar Network Principal Company NameOmidyar Network Dates EmployedAug 2016 – Sep 2017 Employment Duration1 yr 2 mos LocationWashington D.C. Led policy and advocacy for digital identity initiative, focused on digital empowerment, privacy and user-focused principles for identification. Led ON's negotiations on the Global Principles on Identification for Sustainable Development, liaising with the World Bank, UN, ID4Africa, GSMA, Gates Foundation, governments, and others. Named one of the Top 100 Leaders in the Identity Industry. As the first U.S.-based member of the policy and advocacy team, work in the areas of data governance, anti-corruption, civic tech and media to assess policy and advocacy opportunities, and identify promising initiatives. See less Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Company NameCenter for American Progress Dates EmployedJan 2014 – Jul 2016 Employment Duration2 yrs 7 mos LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area Led work on international economic cooperation and development for prominent Washington think tank. Connected research and analysis to concrete policy outcomes through outreach and advocacy. Collaborated with individuals and organizations in Washington, New York, and abroad. Published and spoke on a wide range of economic development issues, including innovation in Africa, BRICS countries, development finance, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the data revolution for development. See less New York University Chief of Staff/Senior Fellow Company NameNew York University Dates EmployedMay 2011 – Dec 2014 Employment Duration3 yrs 8 mos LocationNew York, New York Chief of Staff and then Senior Fellow for independent research center/think tank within New York University (seconded to the United Nations HLP from September 2012-September 2013) As Chief of Staff, managed over 25 staff and fellows, including direct supervision of five staff members. Managed and maintained a portfolio of over 25 government and foundation grants totaling approximately $4.5 million, on subjects including conflict, humanitarian crises, development, resource scarcity and climate change, and international security. Drove strategic planning, identifying policy needs and bridging the gap between research and policy. As Senior Fellow, led the Center's research and policy outreach for the post-2015 development agenda, working with multilateral organizations, development agencies, other non-profits and research centers around the world to develop and promote policy ideas. See less Secretary-General's High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda Chief of Staff Company NameSecretary-General's High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda Dates EmployedSep 2012 – Sep 2013 Employment Duration1 yr 1 mo LocationNew York, NY Principal advisor to the Lead Author/Executive Secretary of 27-member Panel of Eminent Persons to advise the United Nations Secretary-General on the future of development. Facilitated negotiations among panel members and teams, including the Presidents of Indonesia and Liberia and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Tracked domestic and international political contexts to identify opportunities for and challenges to cooperation in areas relevant to the Panel's work. Recruited and managed a diverse international team of twelve research, communications and operations professionals. Managed high-stakes outcomes, meeting critical deadlines including the publication and launch of the Panel's report. Drafted key documents for Panel discussion and substantial parts of the final report. Developed and maintained relationships with Panel members and teams, government representatives, civil society organizations, thought leaders, researchers and stakeholders around the world. Designed and supported the strategic communications plan, including outlining strategic objectives, approach and political considerations, and identified channels of engagement. Briefed diverse audiences on Panel's work and final report, including UN agencies, governments, civil society groups, academics and business representatives. See less Dalai Lama Fellows Director of Programs and Partnerships Company NameDalai Lama Fellows Dates EmployedJul 2010 – May 2011 Employment Duration11 mos LocationSan Francisco, CA As the organization's second employee, worked with the Executive Director to launch a new global initiative on ethical leadership and compassion in action. Built and maintained partnerships with 7 universities and 4 civil society organizations, with 6 more in the pipeline. Raised over $300,000 to support the initiative's work. Managed fellowship selection process involving approximately 35 organizational executives, university administrators, faculty and staff in the nomination of 12 fellows from almost 100 applications. See less Stanford Economics Department Teaching Assistant Company NameStanford Economics Department Dates EmployedSep 2009 – Jun 2010 Employment Duration10 mos LocationStanford University As a Teaching Assistant to John B. Taylor and Gavin Wright, led two sections of undergraduate students weekly, teaching microeconomics and macroeconomic principles. Evaluated student performance based on problem sets, exams, and discussions. United Nations Population Fund Researcher Company NameUnited Nations Population Fund Dates EmployedJul 2009 – Sep 2009 Employment Duration3 mos LocationUNFPA New Delhi, India IBM, BearingPoint Management Consultant Company NameIBM, BearingPoint Dates EmployedJan 2007 – Jul 2008 Employment Duration1 yr 7 mos Japan Exchange and Teaching Program(me) (JET) Teacher Company NameJapan Exchange and Teaching Program(me) (JET) Dates EmployedAug 2004 – Aug 2006 Employment Duration2 yrs 1 mo University Office of Community Services Assistant to the Director Company NameUniversity Office of Community Services Dates EmployedSep 2003 – Jun 2004 Employment Duration10 mos LocationTulane University Show fewer experiences Education Stanford University Stanford University Degree NameMA Field Of StudyInternational Policy Studies Activities and Societies: Ford Dorsey scholarship, Introductory Economics Center Teaching Assistant, Stanford Pre-orientation Trip Leader, Wilderness First Aid Certified, Munger Graduate Residences Community Associate, Researcher, Empirical Studies of Conflict Tulane University Tulane University Degree NameBA Field Of StudyPolitical Economy, History Activities and Societies: Awards: Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude in International Poltiical Economy and History; Organizations: Newcomb Assets, World Affairs Forum Tulane University of Cambridge University of Cambridge Field Of StudyPhilosophy, Politics and Economics Activities and Societies: Downing College Boat Club Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology