Stephen M. Coan, Ph.D., is the new president and chief executive officer of the National Police Athletic/Activities League in Washington, D.C.
Coan most recently was National PAL’s executive director and chief operating officer. He has been involved with the organization for many years and joined its leadership team in August 2024 from Ripon College. His priorities have included modernizing governance and operations and providing services and support for the more than 300 PAL chapters affiliated with police and sheriff departments across the country, according to a statement from the organization.
Coan’s appointment comes as the organization is expanding its offerings for youth, including an initiative that promotes resiliency and personal growth; a partnership with NFL FLAG, the National Football League’s flag football program; and two additional corporate partnerships aimed at providing children with hands-on STEAM learning experiences that will be announced later this year, according to information in the announcement.
He serves on the New England Commission for Higher Education, the nation’s oldest body for accrediting colleges and universities. As a police commissioner in Connecticut, he is a member of the Police Commissioner Association of Connecticut. He previously led several non-profit and youth serving organizations as CEO, focusing on common themes of mentoring, connecting law enforcement with children, developing academic pathways for at-risk youth, career awareness, STEM skills, environmental stewardship, and workforce development. He also served in leadership positions in higher education and as a volunteer and professional youth worker.
