Alana Sweeny Photo Provided The Police Athletic League’s Board of Directors with Robert M. Morgenthau, Chairman, and John B. Osborn, President, have announced the appointment of Alana Sweeny, of Mahopac, as the new Executive Director.

PAL is New York City’s largest, nonprofit, independent youth organization. Ms. Sweeny has the distinction of becoming the organization’s first female Executive Director since its founding in 1914. She is married to Judge John Sweeny, Associate Justice of Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department, and is the mother of three boys, James, Brian and Patrick.

Throughout her career, Ms. Sweeny has been dedicated to working either directly with children and youth facing challenges including poverty or special needs, or supporting them through policy, partnerships, funding and by building infrastructure.

“We are truly privileged to have Alana Sweeny accept the position of PAL Executive Director,” said Robert Morgenthau. “Alana is one of the most respected leaders in the child care and youth services community, with a proven track record of building programs that deliver successful results.”

“I am honored to be appointed Executive Director of the Police Athletic League,” said Sweeny, who has served as Acting Executive Director since June 2011. “I look forward to continuing to strengthen the quality of PAL’s programs, focus efforts on serving the youth of New York City in the most needed areas and establish initiatives that position the PAL for growth.”

She has been the recipient of numerous community leadership awards including the Woman of Distinction Award by the NYS Senate. She is an active Red Cross volunteer and serves on the Board of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the Board of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County, and is a member of the Putnam County Fiscal Vision and Accountability Commission.