MHANYS is pleased to welcome our friend and colleague Emil Slane to his new role as Director of the Association For Community Living. Emil has long been the head of the Finance operation at the NYS Office of Mental Health. His knowledge and compassion has been the hallmark of his career at OMH. With the leadership of strong former directors and Doug Cooper (as well as the other members of the team), ACL has been in the forefront of advocacy. Emil will only enhance their great work.
Good Afternoon Everyone,
The ACL Board of Directors is excited to announce that Emil Slane has been named ACL’s new Executive Director. Emil will be taking the position effective June 2, 2025.
Emil J. Slane Named Executive Director of the Association for Community Living
(Albany, N.Y.) – The Association for Community Living (ACL) is announcing the appointment of Emil J. Slane as its new Executive Director. Slane, a distinguished public servant who retired from state service in 2024, brings more than 30 years of experience in public administration, fiscal leadership, and health policy innovation to his new role with ACL.
Slane spent the majority of his state career with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), where he served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Fiscal Officer. In that capacity, he oversaw the agency’s $6 billion budget—including State Operations, Aid to Localities, and Capital investments—ensuring sound fiscal stewardship of New York’s public mental health system. He began his journey in public service as a Public Management Intern in 1993, later holding key roles in the Division of the Budget and Department of Health before joining OMH in 2008 as Director of Community Budget and Financial Management. There, he was responsible for funding vital residential, treatment, and community support programs across the state.
“Throughout my public service career, I’ve had the privilege of helping to shape the systems that support some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Slane. “Now, I’m honored to lead ACL and work directly with the agencies and providers turning those systems into lifelines for individuals with serious mental illness. ACL’s mission—to ensure people have access to safe, supportive, recovery-oriented housing—is more important than ever, and I’m excited to help amplify our impact through advocacy, innovation, and collaboration.”
Slane’s decades of leadership were consistently recognized by peers and industry leaders alike. He is the recipient of multiple awards for policy and public service excellence from organizations including the Mental Health Association in New York State, the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, The Alliance of Rights and Recovery, and the Association for Community Living.
“Emil Slane’s appointment is a win for our members and the thousands of New Yorkers they serve,” said Doug Cooper, ACL’s outgoing Interim Executive Director. “His deep knowledge of New York’s health and human service systems, proven fiscal leadership, and long-standing commitment to our field make him uniquely qualified to guide ACL through this next chapter.”
“On behalf of the ACL/ACLAIMH Board of Directors we are both pleased and excited that Emil Slane will be the next executive director,” said Liz Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Unity House of Cayuga Co. Inc.” We believe his skill set, experience and knowledge of Albany will benefit ACL/ACLAIMH and its members, especially as we navigate the challenges presented by the state and federal governments.
Slane holds a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Management and Policy with a concentration in Health Care Management from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
The Association for Community Living is a statewide membership organization representing more than 80 nonprofit agencies that provide housing and rehabilitation services to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. With Slane’s leadership, ACL will continue to champion a modern, recovery-focused mental health housing system that gives every New Yorker the opportunity to live with dignity and support.
A headshot of the new executive director may be found here.
Doug Cooper
Interim Executive Director
Association for Community Living/ACLAIMH
28 Corporate Drive, Suite 102
Clifton Park, NY 12065
Doug@aclnys.org
www.aclnys.org
T (518) 688-1682, ext. 222
F (518) 688-1686
