Alexa Whaley

Alexa is the communications officer at CNAS where she leads media outreach and congressional relations to advance CNAS’s national security research with media, government, industry, academic, and public audiences.

In addition to editing and coordinating written research products from across the Center, she coordinates the Joseph S. Nye, Jr. National Security Internship and Mentoring Program, where she provides support and guidance to interns during their time at CNAS. Alexa also curates the Make Room newsletter.

Prior to joining CNAS, she worked as the press secretary for Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project), the largest bipartisan organization of young lawmakers in the United States. In this role, Alexa collaborated with over 1,600 Gen Z and millennial elected leaders in Congress and state legislatures dedicated to bridging partisan divides, developing future leaders, and advancing future-oriented policy. She utilized her skills in media and creative storytelling to amplify Future Caucus's message, perspective, and membership.

Before her time at Future Caucus, Alexa led organizing and digital efforts for Terry McAuliffe’s gubernatorial campaign. For undergrad, she studied Political Science at Liberty University and the University of New Mexico. Throughout college, she interned for several political and policy-related organizations where she focused on political communications, policy messaging, and digital organizing.