The Community Foundation of North Florida (CFNF) announced the appointment of Ryan Cohn, Partner and Executive Vice President of Sachs Media, to its Board of Directors. As a member of the public relations firm’s executive management team, Cohn serves as a senior communications advisor and media strategist for some of the nation’s most-respected companies, nonprofits, and thought leaders, while simultaneously leading its health care and digital media practice groups.
CFNF enhances the quality of life in North Florida by promoting and supporting charitable giving. Under the guidance of the Board of Directors, the nonprofit public charity has distributed more than $37 million in grants to local nonprofits since its inception 25 years ago, including $3.4 million last year. Managing assets in excess of $100 million, the foundation offers a range of flexible giving options to connect donors to charitable causes they care most to support.
A skilled storyteller with more than 15 years of integrated marketing and public affairs communications experience, Ryan Cohn has helped shape the national conversation around important issues and ideas. He forecasts and navigates the changing communications landscape for Sachs Media and its clients, providing strategic direction and driving growth across digital and advocacy initiatives. He also has a proven track record in strategic planning, business development, and organizational improvement, and builds systems and processes that consistently deliver best-in-class solutions for clients.
Ryan Cohn joined Sachs Media 10 years ago following the firm’s acquisition of What’s Next Marketing, the social media marketing agency he founded and served as CEO. He is Immediate Past Chair and a continuing board member at the Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence (INIE), North Florida’s nonprofit resource center. As Board Chair from June 2020 to July 2021, he helped INIE navigate the coronavirus pandemic and reach new levels of fiscal sustainability. He also co-led INIE’s Executive Director Search Committee in 2021-22.
“We’re honored to welcome Ryan Cohn as a member of our Board of Directors,” said Katrina Rolle, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Florida. “He brings a fresh and meaningful perspective as one of Florida’s preeminent PR and marketing experts. His extensive knowledge of and commitment to our local community will help take our leadership team to new heights.”
The CFNF Board of Directors is composed of a diverse group of individuals representing a cross-section of the community. Along with Ryan Cohn, CFNF recently appointed Capital City Bank COO Beth Corum, Stearns Weaver Miller Shareholder Kelly O’Keefe, and SBA Senior Investment Officer John Bradley to its board.
“I love supporting nonprofits that act as force multipliers in our community, providing other nonprofits with the tools and resources they need to maximize their impact. CFNF has fit that mold for 25 years, serving a vital role as North Florida’s go-to connector of donors and charitable causes,” said Cohn. “I’m proud to join the CFNF Board of Directors and look forward to helping increase the visibility and recognition of its significant and important work.”