Alex Kessler Email & Phone Number

Redmond, Washington, United States

Policy & Practice, Office of Responsible AI

Seattle, Washington, United States

As an AI Policy manager, I help drive cross-functional efforts to define and implement responsible AI practices across Meta through AI product counseling informed by external stakeholder engagement. In particular, I focus on scaling solutions to address AI fairness concerns and supporting a responsible generative AI ecosystem through defining best practices, advising on safety tooling, and developing transparency artifacts, including as lead on Meta’s Responsible Use Guide for Llama 2.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As a Manager at the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI), the independent think tank housed at Accion, I play a leading role in CFI’s research and policy influence work focused on two themes: understanding the opportunities and risks presented by data-driven inclusive finance and addressing the barriers to advancing women’s financial inclusion. I am responsible for managing project portfolios, communicating research insights, and building compelling knowledge products with digital components. I previously served as the Marketing & Community Outreach Manager for the Smart Campaign, CFI's project to promote awareness of financial consumer protection risks for low-income customers around the world. Outreach projects included fostering communities of practice in the fintech industry, designing messaging materials, developing market-level and global digital media strategies, and publicizing research findings with targeted audiences such as financial regulators and policymakers, fintech and financial inclusion industry leaders, and social impact advisors.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Led teams in delivering data-driven communications and marketing solutions for clients in the government, foundation, and corporate sectors. Created new methodologies and analyses using a variety of natural language processing, network analysis, and data visualization tools.

Contributed writing to the “Global Microscope 2015,” an index on the enabling environment for financial inclusion in 55 countries around the world. Conducted primary and secondary research to score the financial sector development policies and regulations in Rwanda.

Greater Boston Area

Contracted by MasterCard as part of a student consulting team at The Fletcher School to design and conduct research on financial inclusion and digital merchant payment solutions focused on the bottom of the pyramid segment in emerging and frontier markets.

Developed and wrote a report examining Turkey's domestic politics, its position in current Middle East conflicts, and prospects to emerge as a hub for international business and an energy transit point. Wrote articles covering lectures and speaking events at The Fletcher School.

Oversaw The Fletcher Forum's website, working with contributing authors and a team of 16 staff editors through the process of soliciting, editing, and publishing articles. Managed content for the 2014 Global Risk Forum and launched the 2015 Global Opportunities Forum web series convening expert discussions on topics such as cyber security, economic slowdown in China, and climate change.

Amman, Jordan

Conducted qualitative interviews and survey research for a report on corporate entrepreneurship in MENA. Designed a toolkit for advising corporations on structuring entrepreneurship programs and analyzing the ecosystem of startups and SMEs in the region.

Beirut, Lebanon

Reported on breaking news and wrote feature articles on social issues, health, politics, and the impact of the Syria crisis for the Lebanon Desk. Coordinated regional coverage as the acting Middle East editor from May-August 2011 and as the International section editor from May 2011-January 2012. Launched and coordinated The Daily Star weekend edition.

Washington, Dc

Produced a case study on the relationship between the Turkish military and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey’s democratization process for a World Bank project on civil-military relationships entitled Back to the Barracks.

Washington, Dc

Conducted research and drafted reports on Congressional meetings for New American Foundation Research Fellows. Prepared briefing notes for American Strategy Program Director’s media appearances. Organized meetings, events and travel arrangements.

Cambridge, Ma

Executed a study examining radicalization, focused on the effects of observed group-targeted violence and humiliation on inter-group interactions and attitudes.

The Fletcher School, Medford, Ma

Researched the process of individual radicalization in social psychology and neuroscience literature for the PERSEREC project.

Master Of Arts In Law & Diplomacy, International Security Studies, Southwest Asia & Islamic Civilizations

Activities and Societies: Teaching Assistant, Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) at The Institute.

Ba, International Relations

Education record