Alexa Whaley

Alexa Whaley is the communications officer at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), where she leads media outreach and congressional relations to advance CNAS’s national security research. In this role, she crafts proactive press campaigns, supports high-level expert visibility in top-tier media, manages crisis communications, and oversees all Capitol Hill outreach.

In addition to her role, Whaley 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. Whaley also curates the Make Room newsletter, a monthly email that elevates emerging voices in national security and foreign policy.

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, Whaley 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, Whaley led organizing and digital efforts for Terry McAuliffe’s gubernatorial campaign. For undergrad, she studied government at Liberty University and served as class president.