Elisha Cohen Frank — 1970-2022
Elisha Frank
With heavy and broken hearts, we announce the death of our dear friend and treasured colleague Elisha Cohen Frank.
Elisha passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at age 52 on September 16, 2022, after a brief illness. Elisha leaves behind her husband, Mike Frank, and their children Harrison, Carter, and Kyle. Her first husband, Paul Anagnostis (Kyle’s father), passed away in 1999. Elisha also leaves behind her parents Mark Cohen and Patti Cohen, and her brother, Michael Cohen.
Originally from Tampa, Elisha earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida. As an undergraduate, Elisha was recognized for her leadership qualities and was awarded membership in the prestigious Florida Blue Key honor society. Before joining the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement, in 2003, Elisha worked in private practice with the Miami law firms of Steel Hector & Davis LLP and Hunton Andrews Kurth.
In addition to her family, Elisha leaves behind her friends at the SEC. From 2003 until her death, Elisha distinguished herself as a valued member of the SEC’s Miami Regional Office. Starting as a staff attorney, Elisha excelled at every aspect of her job, helping aggrieved investors who became victims of a variety of fraudulent activities by seeking to hold those responsible for the wrongdoing liable. Based on her investigative talents, thoughtful and measured demeanor, and professionalism, in 2010, Elisha was promoted to the position of Assistant Regional Director (“ARD”), Enforcement in the Miami office. As an ARD, Elisha flourished bringing out the best in both seasoned attorneys and newer attorneys. Her door and heart were always open to her colleagues and she never failed to provide meaningful feedback and advice that helped the SEC further its mission to help investors.
Elisha was passionate about taking on new challenges and responsibilities. In 2013, she was named co-chair of the newly formed SEC’s Microcap Fraud Task Force. Elisha seamlessly balanced her new role and responsibilities with her existing work as an ARD. For her trendsetting work with the Task Force and her outstanding work as an ARD, in 2016 the Commission presented Elisha the prestigious Paul R. Carey Award that recognized her critically important work furthering the Agency’s mission to protect investors.
We, her SEC colleagues, were truly blessed to work with Elisha for nearly 20 years. Her kindness, keen intellect, wise counsel, and beaming smile endeared her to staff at all levels of the Commission, including the Commissioners themselves. She earned the respect and admiration of opposing counsel, as well. Though the sense of loss is palpable, Elisha leaves a towering legacy at the SEC and in the hearts of her beloved colleagues. While her passing was untimely and far too soon, we are grateful that we were fortunate to call Elisha our dear and cherished friend.
