FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2025
Seth Cohen, Former Chief Impact Officer of Forbes Media, and Founder of Optimistic Labs, Joins the Independent Center as a Senior Advisor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Independent Center, a political nonprofit dedicated to supporting and mobilizing independent-minded voters and candidates, announced today that Seth Cohen, founder of Optimistic Labs, has joined the organization as a Senior Advisor. Cohen brings his expertise in coalition building, community engagement and narrative change to help the Independent Center expand its national movement and build a broad base of independent-minded voters and supporting organizations.
“Seth’s decision to join the Independent Center marks an important milestone and reflects the momentum behind the growing independent movement,” said Lura Forcum, President of the Independent Center. “His experience shaping public understanding will be invaluable as we broaden our influence and unite a national community of independent voters.”
“Seth is an outstanding addition to our team and a valuable resource for our rapidly growing movement,” said Adam Brandon, Senior Advisor at the Independent Center. “His success in building powerful initiatives across business, philanthropy, and media, as well his deep understanding of what it takes to grow a national movement of independent-minded leaders, makes him an exceptional addition to the team as the Independent Center prepares for the midterm elections.”
“The Independent Center is at the forefront of breaking the divisive stranglehold that the two-party system has on this country,” said Cohen. “I’m proud to be working with an organization that is changing the narrative of American politics and focused on fostering a prosperous nation through independent thinking.”
“As America looks ahead to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation,” Cohen continued, “voters from all backgrounds are exhausted from the toxic hyper-partisanship that is not only crippling Washington, but causing real harm in our communities, college campuses, and workplaces. The Independent Center’s focus on supporting the entire field of organizations working to put ‘people over parties’ is not only timely but also urgently needed.”
Cohen’s role will focus on advising the Center on building a nationwide effort of independent-minded voters, philanthropists and supporting organizations, building on his experience creating platforms that reshape narratives and empower individuals to turn values into action. He will help the IC embody the vision of its founders, drawing parallels to his career at Forbes where he spent three years, first as an Assistant Managing Editor, and then as Chief Impact Officer. During his tenure there, he established the Forbes Impact Lab, helping to influence how media could be a force for positive impact and narrative change in business and culture. Prior to Forbes, Seth gained a national reputation for work at the forefront of philanthropic innovation and network building and was recognized for his work on voting rights in Georgia, with an emphasis on improving access to the vote. The Independent Center believes that just as initiatives such as Forbes Impact Lab and ForbesBLK reinvented what the next generation of entrepreneurship looks like, Cohen will help the organization embody its vision for building a national movement of independent voters.
For more information about the Independent Center, visit www.independentcenter.org.
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The Independent Center is the go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, who now make up the majority of the electorate. We represent those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless. We believe the future is not red or blue; it’s fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and free to choose the best options for ourselves, our families, and our communities.