Ryan
Meet Ryan Cohen, a proud Marine Corps Veteran, devoted family man, and long-time Shaw JCC member. Ryan attended the Lippman School and went on to serve in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2009, completing two tours in Iraq.
After returning home, Ryan studied at the University of Akron and reconnected with the JCC in 2017 when his oldest son was born. Today, Ryan and his wife Ellen have three wonderful children: Calvin, Lewis, and Emma. As a family, they share deep roots at the JCC – all three kids have attended the Mandel ECE, with Emma starting her first day of school today!
Ryan shares his appreciation for the Mandel ECE, saying, “The ECE sets my kids up for success. The academics are phenomenal, and the teachers are very perceptive of the needs of the kids.”
In addition to family life, Ryan is unstoppable. Once a powerlifter, he now challenges himself in endurance sports, recently completing the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., two half Ironmans, and three sprint triathlons. He trains at the JCC, staying active in the pool and weight room, showing his kids the importance of hard work and resilience. “My family is my biggest motivator,” Ryan says. “I want to show them they can do hard things.”