The material in the fonds range from 1948 to 2003. They reflect the life and career of Dian Cohen as a columnist, author, public speaker, educator, economic consultant, and television and radio commentator.

The fonds consists of correspondence and reports; photographs and certificates; audio cassettes and tapes; videotapes; computer diskettes; and clippings and other printed materials. Both the print and electronic formats are comprised of notes, drafts and scripts for news columns and commentaries on radio and television programs; interviews and transcriptions; speeches and addresses; essays, course outlines and lecture notes; briefs, submissions and reports of commissions of enquiry; briefing books on communications, the Canadian economy and other topics; and promotional materials.

This accession consists of seven series: Personal Information, Correspondence, Writings, Radio and Television, Board Membership, Miscellaneous Interests and Research, and Books. The first series contains material from the 1950s to 2013, consisting primarily of biographical information about Dian Cohen, various awards that she’s obtained over the years, day planners, and records created by and/or pertaining to members of her family, including her daughter, her ex-husband and his family. The second series contains various correspondence that Cohen has kept from 1958-2004; while some are personal, such as letters from her father, most are related to business or publishing. The third series contains Dian Cohen’s various written works and speeches from 1972-2003; most of the material in this series relates to the book “Net Results” and to speeches given at various events and conferences; in addition to the writings themselves, this series contains many related records such as reviews. The fourth series contains transcripts and administrative papers relating to Cohen’s various radio and television productions such as “Money, Power and Politics”, as well as proposals for other productions from 1978-2003. The fifth series contains records related to the various businesses and organizations that Cohen was a board member of from 1990-2011 such as Monsanto Canada and the International Institute for Sustainable Development. In the case of Monsanto, in addition to fiduciary records, the sub-series contains research done by Cohen and Guy Stanley which sought to use Monsanto’s business model as a new standard for emulation. Finally, the last two series contain her books and material on various other interests of Cohen from 1958 to 1996 including articles she’s collected and guides to hone her skills as a writer and interviewer. The accession also consists of Photograph, Audio-Visual, and Electronic Record Collections.