This Bentley Alum is a Believer in the Therapeutic Value of Sports

David Cohen, MBA ’01 is CEO at Boston-based nonprofit Doc Wayne, an organization that serves youth by integrating sports into traditional therapeutic practices. In his role, Cohen shapes local and global strategy, builds strategic and philanthropic relationships and ensures high-quality service delivery by the Doc Wayne team.  

Find out more about what inspires his purpose-driven work — and lessons he’s learned along the way. 

What appealed to you about Bentley when you were planning to get your MBA?  

Bentley’s reputation for blending business rigor with flexibility for working professionals was appealing to me, particularly since I was traveling frequently for my job. My goal was to be prepared not just for traditional business roles, but for leadership in a rapidly evolving world.  

My Bentley MBA experience gave me both the confidence and the tools to lead. Courses in organizational behavior and strategic management had a lasting impact, but the real value came from conversations inside and outside the classroom — evaluating business challenges and gaining insights from diverse perspectives. It pushed me to lead with purpose and to think systemically. I also realized that success doesn’t always have to follow a corporate ladder; it can also be measured by impact. 

After getting your MBA, you worked in the corporate world and as an entrepreneur. What caused your shift to a nonprofit? 

While I was successful in the business world, I wanted my work to mean more; and I thought long and hard about my quality of life.  

As a former college athlete, sports had always been a passion and a personal outlet, and I knew how transformative they could be. I began to see how sports could be used to address social challenges and make connections across cultures, languages and communities. That’s when I knew I had to align my professional life with my values.  

The move was also informed by an important lesson I learned from my grandfather, who had very little but always helped those around him who had even less. I knew that, like him, I didn’t want to coast through life. I wanted to add value to my community.  

Doc Wayne was unlike anything I had seen before. Its programs engage K-12 students through play and conversation and it uses team sports, including soccer, basketball and flag football, to support participants.

I immediately connected with founder Susan Wayne, a pioneer in human services. She was looking for someone to take the organization’s base and build it into a high-impact, sustainable nonprofit. Leading an organization that uses sport as a vehicle for healing just clicked. I saw both the need and the potential to grow the organization and bring this approach to more youth locally and globally. 

How has your vision for Doc Wayne evolved since you began leading the organization more than a decade ago? 

When I started, we were a two-person, local nonprofit. Over time, the organization has evolved its vision: to make mental health services more accessible and to use sports to break down the stigma and cultural barriers surrounding treatment. Today, we train other organizations, consult globally and have opened our own community mental health clinic. It’s about transforming systems, not just serving individuals. 

What are some of the most pressing mental health issues among youth? 

Anxiety, depression and trauma — especially those tied to systemic inequality, social isolation and identity-based discrimination — are increasingly common. Youth are navigating complex environments with limited outlets for expression or healing. The pandemic and social media have only intensified these challenges. We’re seeing more youth in crisis at younger ages. 

How does Doc Wayne stay innovative in combining sports and therapy?  

Innovation means meeting youth where they are — literally and emotionally. Opening the Community Clinic, which provides outpatient individual, family, group and couples therapy for youth and adults, was a step toward more accessible and inclusive care. We also launched our Champions Network to train adults working with youth, equipping them with more tools to be a reliable presence in kids’ lives. We don’t just evolve with the field; we help push it forward. 

What role do partnerships play in your work? 

Partnerships are essential to our growth. Whether it’s schools, mental health agencies, community centers, sports organizations or philanthropic partners, we believe collective action drives change. Our model scales through collaboration — we train others in our methods and learn from them in return. 

How does Doc Wayne help ensure that programming is inclusive across diverse communities and identities? 

Inclusion is foundational. We hire diverse staff who reflect the communities we serve, provide culturally responsive care and continually evaluate our programs to ensure they support individuals of all identities. We partner with schools and community-based organizations and train our coaches and clinicians to lead with empathy and equity. We meet individuals where they are, understanding there is no “one size fits all” solution. 

How do you know when Doc Wayne is achieving its mission? 

The data shows our model is effective. Our clinical team also collects ongoing data to monitor individual progress and challenges.  

But sometimes, it’s the small moments that speak volumes: when a youth says they’ve never felt safe in therapy until now, or when they run into a session to see their coach. The most powerful feedback is hearing someone say, “You helped me find my voice.” That’s when we know we’re doing the right work.