Oxford resident to head Ohioans to Stop Executions

Allison+Cohen

Allison Cohen

Allison Cohen of Oxford was named executive director of Ohioans to Stop Executions earlier this month.

Cohen was the first director of communications for the organization where she “played a key role in shaping the organization’s media strategy, messaging and advancing its legislative agenda,” according to a press release.  

Cohen served as the interim executive director for five months before stepping into the role permanently.

Founded in 1988, OTSE is the only single-issue death penalty repeal organization inOhio. The non-profit is supported by over 80 organizations.

A southwest Ohio native, Cohen attended Miami University, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in creative writing and Xavier University, where she earned a bachelor’s in nursing.

She said that in her new role she will continue to educate the public about the shortcomings of the death penalty and work with legislators and other stakeholders to eliminate it.

“I was raised in a family that deeply believes that life is a sacred gift,” said Cohen. “I carry those values with me as I work to end the death penalty in Ohio. I am so very honored to be OTSE’s executive director and I look forward to the work to repeal this arbitrary, wasteful and violent practice.”