WHO WE ARE

JAMES D. COHEN

Born and raised in New York State’s Capital District, Jim has lived and worked in Vermont for more than 30 years. Residing in Burlington, with his beautiful wife, Lisa Bridge, he has been in the financial services industry since 2001. Prior to this, Jim spent many years in a variety of financial roles including international treasury analyst, controller, and chief financial officer in both industry and non-profit sectors. He left the world of boardrooms and spreadsheets to work one-on-one with people, using his financial experience to help businesses and individuals protect their assets and work toward achieving their financial goals.

Jim was named the Top Producer and Agent for New York Life in Vermont in 2016, 2017 and 2025.  He is a Qualifying and Lifetime member of the Million-Dollar Round Table’s* “Court of the Table”, a global association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial professionals.

Jim is an Investment Advisor Representative with Eagle Strategies LLC and a Registered Representative for NYLIFE Securities LLC. He holds FINRA Series 7, 6, 66, and 63 registrations and is licensed in several states throughout the country. A graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, he earned his MBA from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jim cares deeply about the well-being of others and, when he is not serving his clients (or golfing, or skiing, or attempting to keep up with his three fabulous daughters wherever they may be around the world) he is giving back to the community by volunteering.  Jim was a former campaign chair for his local United Way and is currently on the Board at the Greater Burlington YMCA, to help make his community a healthier and more vibrant place to live and work.

Jim is grateful for the trust his clients place in him and for the incredible love and support he receives from his wife.

To reach Jim, email at jim@jcohenfinancial.com

^{*MDRT is recognized throughout the industry as the standard of excellence in life insurance sales performance.}

CASSANDRA FYLES

Following her grandfather and her father into the financial services industry, Cassandra became an agent with New York Life in 2015. She has a natural aptitude for the business and enjoys helping people plan financially for all stages of their lives.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Business from Castleton University with a concentration in accounting, business management, and statistics. She is an Investment Advisor Representative with Eagle Strategies LLC and a Registered Representative for NYLIFE Securities LLC. In 2022, she qualified as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

Cassandra resides in Orwell, VT where she was born and raised. When she's not serving her clients, she spends time enjoying the outdoors sugaring, gardening and hiking.

To reach Cassandra, email her at cassandra@jcohenfinancial.com

Heather Drummond

As Operations Manager, Heather is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations to ensure clients receive exceptional service. She works closely with Jim Cohen to create a seamless experience from onboarding through ongoing support. Known for her organization, strong communication skills, and attention to detail, Heather is committed to building efficient systems that allow the team to focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals.

Heather has a diverse professional background in client services, logistics, and sales.  Her passion for building relationships and delivering outstanding service has been a consistent theme throughout her career and continues to shape her approach to operations and client care.

Originally from Vermont, Heather now lives in New Hampshire with her husband and their three children. A former NCAA Division I All-American collegiate ski racer, she has always embraced competition, discipline, and teamwork. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.

To reach Heather, email heather@jcohenfinancial.com