Alex serves as global chair of Edelman’s global corporate affairs and Impact practices. He is an experienced adviser to management teams, CEOs and boards of directors. Alex rejoined Edelman in 2023 after almost ten years outside the firm, most recently as chief communications officer for Thomson Reuters, the global news, information and software company governed by Trust Principles established in 1941.
Based in Toronto, Alex led global communications, government & regulatory affairs, ESG strategy, brand purpose and the Thomson Reuters Social Impact Institute, which included setting disclosures policies, driving the sustainability agenda and catalyzing new partnerships to advance sustainable business. Alex led efforts to unify Thomson Reuters strategy, brand voice and impact efforts with one purpose: to inform the way forward, through the pursuit of justice, truth and transparency. He helped launch and scale Reuters Impact, a global gathering of top government and business leaders committed to addressing climate change. He chairs judging for the Reuters Responsible Business Awards.
Previously, Alex served as vice president of brand stewardship & impact for Recreational Equipment, Inc (REI), the beloved outdoor retail and experiences business and largest consumer co-operative in the United States. Centered on awakening a lifelong love for the outdoors for all, REI is a leader in sustainability advocacy. Alex led and united communications, public policy, government affairs, operational and product sustainability (including materials innovation), fair labor, philanthropy, employee recognition, content and local marketing.
Alex’s team was responsible for #OptOutside - shutting down the retailer on Black Friday and paying its employees to spend time in nature instead. Now in its ninth year, #OptOutside won the Cannes Titanium Lion in 2016 and has been named one of the leading creative campaigns of the decade.
Before REI, Alex spent more than a decade with Edelman in roles in Europe, Asia Pacific and the United States. He started in government affairs, then specialized in operating at the intersection of issues and brand marketing and was latterly executive vice president of corporate & public affairs in New York, also co-leading its business + social purpose practice.