Meals on Wheels Yolo County (MOW Yolo) announced the retirement of Joy Cohan as Executive Director of MOW Yolo, effective April 3. Photo courtesy of Meals on Wheels Yolo County

YOLO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - It is with deep gratitude and warm congratulations that Meals on Wheels Yolo County (MOW Yolo) announced the retirement of Joy Cohan as Executive Director of MOW Yolo, effective April 3.

Cohan is widely recognized as a passionate, steadfast and ever-present force for good on behalf of Yolo County’s seniors. Since assuming leadership in January 2022, Cohan has guided MOW Yolo with vision, energy, and unwavering commitment to our mission.

During her tenure, the organization expanded its impact dramatically, increasing the number of meal recipients by more than 300% and now serving more than 1,200 food insecure seniors throughout the county. Cohan also sparked the capacity-building to make it possible, with the move to a 5,300 square-foot institutional meal production facility as the centerpiece.

Also under Cohan’s leadership, MOW Yolo broadened its geographic reach to include Dunnigan, Capay Valley and Clarksburg, and strengthened and increased service to West Sacramento, Woodland, Winters, Davis and other communities. Beyond delivering nutritious meals, MOW Yolo has continued to address the critical issue of senior isolation. Through Café Yolo congregate dining, seniors are provided welcoming spaces to share meals, build friendships, and remain connected to their community.

Cohan has also successfully mobilized broad community support, expanding donor and volunteer engagement and fostering partnerships that will sustain the organization well into the future. Social enterprise also was introduced, maximizing the potential of the new meal production facility to produce meals for other nonprofits in support of the MOW Yolo mission. Her leadership has strengthened not only our programs, but the very fabric of community care across Yolo County.

As MOW Yolo celebrates Cohan’s remarkable service, we are also focused on ensuring a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition. The Board of Directors is actively conducting a recruitment process. We are confident that we will name a new Executive Director soon and that the strong foundation Cohan has built will position the organization for continued growth and success.

We are profoundly grateful for Cohan’s extraordinary service and lasting contributions. Her impact will be felt for years to come, and we look forward to building upon her legacy in the next chapter of Meals on Wheels Yolo County.

For more information and to read the full message on behalf of Cohan visit https://mowyolo.org/joy-cohan-retirement/.