Biography: Alexandria J. Maloney

A proud Maryland native, Alexandria J. Maloney is an internationally recognized foreign affairs and social impact leader on a mission to build a more safe, inclusive, and harmonious world. 

Alexandria J. Maloney currently serves as the President of Black Professionals in International Affairs, a visiting lecturer at the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy, and as Director of External Affairs at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation where she works to expand efforts to advance democracy and fight authoritarianism around the globe. As an avid “do-er”, Alexandria believes that the collective agency of humanity should be used to contribute to building the world that we desire. A trained systems thinker, her approach to cultural and organizational change has included inspiration from the arts, sciences, literature, and philosophy. 

By 31, Alexandria was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent” and a “Forbes 50 Champion” for Black and Brown communities for her leadership in building ecosystems to educate, prepare, and empower thousands of underrepresented professionals. Her mission has been to create a more inclusive and harmonious world through educating and equipping professionals and leaders with the tools to do so. Alexandria has used her platform, profile, and following to help elevate professionals in the foreign affairs community to reach new heights, particularly in her role as President of the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA). While serving as President, she founded the Colin Powell Leadership Institute and the Madam Ambassador Program, obtained high-profile donors and partners, and expanded the overall online reach from 900 to over 16,000 followers.

She also supports preparing future public sector leaders as a visiting lecturer at Cornell University School of Public Policy and speaking at international conferences including the G20 civil society summit, the Council on Foreign Relations, and Harvard University on inclusive governance and leadership practices. 

Her past experience has included the Department of Defense and the White House Initiative for HBCUs. She currently serves as a senior non-resident fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center for her work in bridging the African diaspora and sits on numerous boards including the United Nations Association-National Capitol Area, John Cabot University Board of Trustees, Cornell Brooks School Alumni Advisory Council, and the 2026 U.S. Semiquincentennial National American Bell Committee.   She is a member of the Truman National Security Project, the European Leadership Network, The Council on Foreign Relations Young Professional Program, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Alfred Street Baptist Church., and the Washington Spinoza Philosophy Society. A regular award recipient, she was most recently awarded as an Emerging Human Rights Leader by UNA-NCA in 2024. 

She holds a B.A. in International Affairs from John Cabot University (Rome, Italy), an M.A. in International Studies from Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD), and an MPA from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). Her interests span a host of foreign affairs, defense, diplomacy, inclusion, arts and culture, youth, women, and public engagement matters. Alexandria's ultimate goal is to scale her current work to the highest levels of impact in pursuit of a more peaceful and harmonious world.