Alex Wagner

With over 25 years of experience bridging the public, private and nonprofit sectors in Washington, D.C., Alex Wagner has led strategic change, advised top corporations and nonprofits, and served in senior government roles addressing national security and workforce challenges.

Specializing at the intersection of law, policy, politics and technology, Alex was most recently the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and reserve affairs. Nominated by former President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he was responsible for the entire human capital enterprise of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, including recruiting and retention, talent management, compensation, health care and dependent care, discipline, oversight of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force ROTC detachments, and reserve component affairs impacting nearly 700,000 airmen, guardians and civilians across the Department of the Air Force. 

Previously, as vice president at the Aerospace Industries Association, he led efforts on behalf of America’s most prominent aerospace and defense companies focused on talent development, including specific programs to enhance workforce diversity, expand STEM education access, and protect employees’ health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the Obama administration, he served as chief of staff to the Secretary of the Army and in previous appointments in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he helped shape the development and implementation of DoD policies where the law is either unclear or undefined.

Alex has worked in various capacities on six U.S. presidential campaigns, including as the principal staffer responsible for engaging Obama for America's 150-member National LGBT Steering and Policy committee in 2008. Prior to law school, Alex was a reporter and policy analyst for the Arms Control Association.