Kohler brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience to Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (April 22, 2026) – Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley has announced that Melanie Kohler will join the nonprofit as chief executive officer beginning May 4, 2026. Among Kohler’s initial goals for strengthening the nonprofit are expanding the number of community members served, improving the financial outlook, fostering connections with donors and the community, and increasing volunteer participation.
“I’m honored to join Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley and build on the strong foundation already in place,” said Kohler. “This organization plays a vital role in ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious meals and meaningful connections, and I look forward to working alongside the team, volunteers and community partners to expand that impact.”
With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit management, aging services, and economic development, Kohler has transformed organizations, strengthened operations, and built sustainable models for expanding community impact. During her five-year tenure at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Kohler advanced from chief technology officer to chief transformation officer, where she led an enterprise-wide strategy that drove innovation, entrepreneurship and regional economic growth.
Before that, Kohler launched and led a multi-county aging services program at Phoebe, enabling older adults to age through coordinated care and community-based services.
“When we started the search for our next CEO, Melanie immediately stood out to us. She brings strategic vision and a wealth of experience in community engagement,” said Bankim Bhatt, board president of Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “As we enter this new chapter, I’m excited to see how Melanie’s vision and leadership will grow and deepen our impact in the community.”
An active member of the community, Kohler serves as committee co-chair for the Lehigh Valley Women’s Summit. She also serves on the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley and the DeSales University Forum for Ethics in the Workplace.
Kohler holds a master’s degree in business administration from DeSales University and a bachelor’s degree in business and healthcare administration from Cedar Crest College. She received her Lean Six Sigma certification from Purdue University.
Kohler will replace interim CEO, Joenel Torrillo, who stepped into the role in August 2025.
Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley will hold a welcoming ceremony for Kohler later this spring.
About Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley is a private, nonprofit organization serving Lehigh and Northampton counties and portions of Carbon County in Pennsylvania. The organization’s mission is to provide nutritious meals and foster social connections for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities, helping them remain healthy, safe and independent in their own homes.
Each year, Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 2,000 individuals, delivering meals alongside daily wellness checks and access to additional services, including grocery assistance, pet food support and case management. With the help of dedicated volunteers and community partners, the organization provides more than a meal—it delivers care, connection and peace of mind to those who need it most.
For more information, visit https://mowglv.org/ .
Information provided to TVL by:
Grace Levy
