Ani Mooney
Troy City School District Registered Nurse and Special Olympics New York Coach
“Serving on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics New York is an honor that reflects a commitment to
championing inclusion, empowerment, and the boundless potential within every individual … It is an opportunity to play part in creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to showcase their talents, build confidence, and be part of a supportive community. It can be incredibly fulfilling to help shape the organization’s direction, ensuring it continues to make a positive difference in the lives of so many incredible athletes and their families”
Ani Mooney has been a Capital Region volunteer within Special Olympics New York since 1997 and a coach since 2005. She has raised funds, advocated for athletes, served as a team mom in several sports and even jumped into freezing Lake George for the Polar Plunge multiple times.
Ani’s deep commitment to Special Olympics New York stems from one reason: she is the parent of an athlete. Inspired by her son, Tom, and the impact that Special Olympics New York has had on his life, Ani has dedicated the past three decades to improving and growing the statewide organization.
Ani has seen everything Special Olympics New York has to offer firsthand, beginning in 1997 when Tom joined Special Olympics New York as a quiet and shy athlete with little sports experience to today, when Tom is a fixture at nearly every event in the Capital Region and beyond. In 2022, Tom traveled to Orlando, Florida for USA Games and brought home a gold medal for New York. Her family’s experience gives Ani a unique and powerful voice as she represents athlete parents on the Board of Directors.
Ani has served as a Registered Nurse in her professional career since earning her Registered Nurse License from Hudson Valley Community College in 1997. She has spent time in hospitals caring for individuals in the Oncology Unit and has been a nurse within the Troy City School District since 2000. She spends her summer vacations as a nurse for the Easter Seals Camp in Colonie, a camp for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.