An impactful leader at Alexander Jewish Family Service, Phil Cohen was installed as president of the agency at its 113th annual meeting on Jan. 15.
Cohen first joined the board of JFS in 2018, beginning his service as the finance chair for the 2019 gala. He served on the executive committee as assistant secretary and later vice president of Development.
With a background in marketing, community relations and customer engagement in his career at Rice Epicurean Markets, Inc, Cohen took the lead in expanding the agency’s segmented marketing initiatives to share the programs and services with many new stakeholders.
At the annual meeting, Carolyn Kaplan, outgoing president, announced the executive committee members who form Cohen’s leadership team. They include Gretchen Gemeinhardt, treasurer; Kim Trimble, assistant treasurer; Ellen Toomim Robinson, secretary; Rori Feldman, assistant secretary; Jay Epstein, Administration vice president; Vikki Evans, Engagement vice president; Emily Freedman, Community Engagement vice president; Marcy Margolis, Development vice president; Debbie Kaplan, Program Services vice president; and Carolyn Mintz Kaplan, immediate past president.
The theme of Cohen’s leadership is “Strengthening our Roots, Growing Our Reach.” During his remarks, Cohen shared his priorities.
“Operational excellence and strengthening our agency’s systems will also be one of the things I focus on as president,” said Cohen. “I believe this will be the foundation for our ability to sustain the growth we have experienced over the past 20 years.”
Cohen has served in leadership for many communal organizations, including The Shlenker School and The Emery/Weiner School, where he served as chair of its JOE Dinner. Active as a supporter of the Maccabi Games at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, he also has co-chaired the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s Men’s Night Out.
In recognition of his leadership, Cohen received the 2019 JFS President’s Award, selected by then-president Sandi Helfman Wolf.
“I see my work at JFS as an extension of my values and commitment to service, something I was inspired to emulate watching my father’s lifelong passion for charitable work,” said Cohen.
“I am so moved by the impact of the work of JFS. Our work is a reflection of our community’s care and compassion to help one another. Whenever I’m at JFS, I’m struck by just how essential our mission is to this community. My hope for today is that the community can all share that realization and deepen our awareness together.”
Carl Josehart, CEO of Alexander JFS, expressed his confidence in the future under Cohen’s presidency.
“Phil brings together a warm heart and a keen analytical mind – an ideal blend for safeguarding the strength of our agency while elevating the systems that support our daily work,” said Josehart.
“He is also an outstanding ambassador for JFS among our trusted community partners. Phil is already making a meaningful impact as president of JFS, and we are excited about working together to strengthen the organization we both care so deeply about.”