Stephen M. Coan
Stephen M. Coan, Ph.D., is a leader and executive in the youth mentorship, education, environmental, and non-profit sectors. In December 2025 Dr. Coan was appointed as the president and chief executive officer of the National Police Athletic/Activities League, which promotes the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops, and communities through positive engagement.
As president and CEO, Dr. Coan leads all aspects of National PAL's operation, including strategic planning, program development, finances, membership, fundraising, relationships with local chapters, external partnerships, and marketing. National PAL provides services and support to more than 300 local Police Athletic/Activities League chapters that offer a growing range of academic, athletic, enrichment, and career exploration programs to more than two million youth nationwide.
Dr. 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 expected to be announced in the near future.
Upon his appointment as National PAL's president and CEO, he said, "I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our hundreds of chapters nationwide and law enforcement leaders throughout the nation to grow the PAL mission. Our mission has never been more important in preventing youth crime and violence, protecting youth from the increasing threat of cyberspace crimes, and increasing respect for law enforcement. I have always had deep respect and appreciation for the work of thousands of officers and PAL staff who work tirelessly, every day, to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable youth in our nation."
Prior to his most recent appointment by the National PAL Board of Directors, Dr. Coan served as the organization's executive director and chief operating officer.
Dr. Coan previously led several non-profit and youth serving organizations as CEO, focusing on several important common denominators: mentoring, building bridges between the law enforcement community and children, developing academic pathways for at-risk youth, career awareness, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) skills, environmental stewardship, and workforce development.
Among Dr. Coan's previous leadership roles were executive-level positions with Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin; the Sea Research Foundation, which operates Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn.; and JASON Learning, a non-profit provider of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curricula for K-12 students and teachers. He also has served as a college professor, youth counselor, and college admissions officer, and has served on numerous boards, commissions, and advisory councils in his areas of expertise.