Alex Beard

Key Responsibilities

• W&M One Network Product Management
• Alumni Career Development
• Alumni Professional Engagement
• W&M @ Work (Professional Network Strategy)

About Alex

Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech, with a focus on public dialogue and the application of design thinking methodologies, applied improvisation, and the arts for social change. Throughout his career, Alex has specialized in public affairs, community development strategy, programs, and policy.

With over a decade of experience at Loudoun County Government, Alex concentrated on young adult trajectories and community development. More recently, Alex led the Federal Reserve Financial Services (FRFS) Speakers Bureau, enhancing global public relations and market education. In this role, Alex spearheaded the development and project management of the systemwide FRFS external engagement and relationship development framework.

Alex’s strong interpersonal skills allowed him to expand the Federal Reserve’s Key Influencer portfolio by forging relationships with Fortune 500 companies across various industries. This facilitated intelligence gathering in conjunction with the Fed’s FRFS Market Intel Program and the Payments Policy Group, while also supporting market education through collaborative and influential engagement efforts.

Alex joined the Office of Career Development and Professional Engagement in 2023 and is looking forward to supporting the William & Mary community.

Personal Interests

Alex is passionate about the arts and improvisational theatre. He founded Virginia Tech's first long-form improvisational theatre ensemble and further honed his skills through studies at iO and the Second City Conservatory in Chicago. Over the past 15 years, Alex has taught, directed, and performed professionally at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center, UCB Theatre, Second City, iO, and the Washington Improv Theater, among others. Since 2009, he has leveraged his expertise in improvisational theatrical methods as a consultant and training facilitator for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector.