CSIS Names Alex Kisling Chief Communications Officer

CSIS Names Alex Kisling Chief Communications Officer

Photo: CSIS

Press Release - September 22, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC - September 22, 2025 - The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) today announced the appointment of Alex Kisling as chief communications officer. In this role, Kisling will drive integrated communications strategies to deepen CSIS's bipartisan policy impact across defense and security, economic security and technology, geopolitics, and global development.

Kisling will lead a cross-functional external relations team overseeing CSIS's earned media, publications, digital communications, brand and messaging, broadcast events, congressional relations, and institutional communications. He will also collaborate with CSIS's leadership to advance strategic initiatives and partnerships that extend the center's reach with policymakers, the private sector, and global thought leaders.

For the past three years, Kisling served as CSIS's vice president of communications, strengthening the center's amplification of timely, impactful analysis to key policymaking audiences. He previously directed strategic communications at the Atlantic Council, overseeing media relations and organization-wide communications strategies. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly a decade at the leading public affairs firms Kivvit (now Avoq) and Public Strategies Washington, and he began his career as a congressional aide.

"Alex is a remarkable leader and a respected colleague," said CSIS president and CEO John Hamre. "He has built an excellent team, and everyone in the center respects his professional advice and steady guidance. He will be a superb chief communications officer."

"CSIS has long set the standard for innovative think tank communications, and I'm honored to lead this extraordinary team," said Kisling. "I'm committed to strengthening our audience-focused strategy and building on the remarkable legacy of my friend and predecessor, Andrew Schwartz, as we continue to elevate CSIS's bipartisan policy engagement."

You can contact Alex Kisling at [email protected]. For general CSIS media inquiries, please contact Sofia Chavez at [email protected].