Abby Cohler joined Impact 100 SJ in 2019. At the time, she was looking to get involved with a local charitable organization and do more than just “write the check.” She discovered that Impact 100 SJ filled that need for her. She was intrigued by the fact that IMPACT 100 SJ is solely run by women volunteers, allows each member the choice to be as involved with the organization as she wants to be, and gives out impactful grants to local organizations. At that time, she went on-line, looked up our local chapter and joined immediately. After she joined, she learned that some of her friends/colleagues were also members,
After joining, Abby jumped right in and got involved. For the first two years (even impacted by COVID shut-downs) she became a member of Grant Finance Review, in which she was able to use her prior experience in filing non-profit tax returns (Form 990’s). She also joined the Events Committee and helped organize a Member “Meet and Greet”- the last in-person event just prior to the COVID shut-down. She learned about grant applications by being a member of the Grants Committee. Before her 3rd year she was honored to be asked to join the Leadership Council, as part of the Governance Committee.
Abby grew up in Whitpain Township, PA (more commonly known as Blue Bell) but now lives in Cherry Hill with her husband, Michael. Both of her parents were charitably inclined. They were involved with various charities, including their synagogue board, PA Podiatry Society, Masons, Sisterhood, Men’s Club JWI, and NAMI. Her parents set the example that Abby continues to follow. Their charitable involvement was very community oriented, and that’s what led Abby to Impact 100 SJ. Abby discovered that Impact 100 SJ gave her the chance to follow in her parents’ philanthropic footsteps, and also meet new people of all ages and backgrounds (other Impact Members and Grantees). Learning about the various charities and how the grants requested impact the charities and the communities they serve has been very meaningful for her too. She is amazed at what local charities, some of which she had never heard of, are accomplishing in our South Jersey community.
Abby is a lawyer with her own practice specializing in estate planning, probate and residential real estate. She currently volunteers as an Estate Planning Expert with Wills for Heroes (drafting wills for veterans and first responders). She has also taken on pro bono clients of Legal Services of South Jersey to prepare their estate planning documents. She is a member of the Camden County Bar Association and the NJ Bar Association. Joining and being involved with Impact 100 SJ has truly given her a chance to help others outside of the legal profession.
Impact 100 SJ has become Abby’s favorite charity!! She continues to be a member of Grant Finance Review and Grant Review. She was honored to be nominated for a position on the Leadership Council and now co-chairs the Governance committee. Abby finds Impact 100 SJ rewarding in many aspects – a local organization, run by a diverse group of women, purely volunteer-run, supporting local charities with impactful sources of funds. Other charities in the past never totally ‘clicked’ for her. Abby’s passion for the organization just oozes out of her and is infectious!!
Abby and her husband live in Cherry Hill and have three sons, Max (married to Melissa), Adam and Greg. Abby’s hobbies include biking, running, among other physical activities. She loves to bake and “never met a chocolate she didn’t like”. During the year she spends a lot of time at the family’s home in Margate, NJ. (where she met her husband, Michael in 1980) and loves to bike the bridges to Ocean City and back. Abby considers herself a ‘home-body’ even though she loves to travel. They have an 18 year-old cat and a grand-dog that they love very much.