EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOY COHAN TO RETIRE APRIL 3, 2026
MESSAGE FROM MOW YOLO BOARD CHAIR, BRIDGET LEVICH
February 17, 2026
Dear Meals on Wheels Community members,
It is with deep gratitude and warm congratulations that I announce the retirement of Joy Cohan as Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Yolo County (MOW Yolo), effective April 3, 2026.
Joy 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, she 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. She 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 Joy'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.
Joy 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 we celebrate Joy'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 Joy has built will position the organization for continued growth and success.
We are profoundly grateful for Joy'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.
Sincerely,
Bridget Levich
Chair, Board of Directors
MESSAGE FROM MOW YOLO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOY COHAN
Dear MOW Yolo Supporters,
In early February, I shared with the MOW Yolo team some news that I've been discussing with our Board of Directors for many weeks. It's because I feel so confident in that team that's now assembled -- particularly in the past couple of months -- that I'm able to announce my retirement. With a milestone birthday now in the rear view mirror, it's been my plan for a while to step away this year, but more recently decided that my last day with MOW Yolo will be Friday, April 3.
The Board's preparations to recruit a new Executive Director are underway and that effort now is public at https://mowyolo.org/about-us/careers/. Together, we've also been forming transition plans, which formally have begun. This will be a smooth and orderly process -- one that's exciting, challenging, and ripe with opportunity all at once.
THANK YOU to the community for the honor of serving Yolo County's most vulnerable senior residents over these past four+ years; it's been amazing to guide and witness what YOUR gifts of funds and time make possible to elevate the MOW Yolo mission. Everyone at MOW Yolo is committed to continuing to nurture and grow this potential to maximize a food secure and socially connected future for the older adults of Yolo County.
With gratitude,
Joy Cohan
Executive Director