Alex Coccia

Biography

Alex Coccia, Ph.D., is a human services expert with over 10 years of experience in policy, research, and practice supporting anti-poverty and economic security efforts. As Senior Policy Manager, he works with leaders across levels of government to design and implement policies and practices to improve the delivery of public benefits and help families achieve financial security. His work focuses on building an inclusive economy by making public systems robust, responsive, and accountable to people and communities who have long been excluded from them. Before joining the Aspen Institute, Alex was a senior policy analyst at the Center for the Study of Social Policy, where he led coalitional efforts calling for an expanded, fully refundable and inclusive Child Tax Credit and improving the administration and delivery of public benefits across the tax and human services systems. His work centered parents and caregivers in policy development so that programs and institutions effectively meet the needs of children and families. Previously, Alex was a policy consultant for Children’s Defense Fund Ohio and a special assistant and policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Alex was also an adjunct assistant professor in Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. Alex holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Politics and a Master of Philosophy in Comparative Social Policy from the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies and Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame.