Leadership Delaware Inc. CEO Jennifer Cohan was named the 2021 Stars of Delaware Person of the Year.

The award, which is presented by the Delaware State News/Independent Media, was given to Cohan Sept. 2 at the Delaware State Fair Grounds during the Stars of Delaware Celebration event honoring 198 organizations throughout Delaware in 10 specific categories, along with the Person of the Year.

Cohan was among two other finalists including Leandra Casson Marshall, vice president of external relations at the Delaware Multicultural and Civic Organization Inc., and David Hugg, City of Dover director of planning, inspections and community development.

“It is an honor to be named Delaware Stars Person of the Year, and I want to thank all the citizens that voted for me and say a huge congratulations to all the Delaware Stars winners,” said Cohan.

Cohan is also a 2021 inductee of the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame, and in 2016 she was honored with the Kent Distinguished Citizen Award by the Delmarva Council of the Boy Scouts of America for her commitment to public service.

Before joining Leadership Delaware, she led the Delaware Department of Transportation under two governors There she instituted agency-wide reforms and produced the largest capital program in the state’s history. She was also the first woman to lead the state’s division of motor vehicles, which she transformed into the best DMV in the country.

Throughout this year as Leadership Delaware CEO, she has helped build upon the organization’s foundation, and continued to expand and modernize the program. She has bridged the gap of longtime speakers mixed in with new speakers, emerging industries and topics, and diversified session locations.

Leadership Delaware Board Chair Penny Saridakis said, “Jen has had a tremendous impact on Leadership Delaware in the year that she has led the organization. This has been a challenging year in our country on many levels, and Jen has faced the issues head-on by engaging LDI Fellows and inviting a variety of speakers who have furthered the conversation on these difficult topics. Jen has brought energy, enthusiasm and excellence to LDI, and we are thrilled to have her leading LDI in its next chapter.”