Alexandra Jirstrand oversees the strategic communications team at the Wyss Institute, and is an executive with more than 20 years of brand strategy, corporate communications, and media relations experience. Prior to joining the Wyss Institute, Alexandra was the Chief Communications Officer at Valisure, a pharma biotech company in New Haven, CT, and helped lead the company’s launch, including establishing its public relations and government relations initiatives. Alexandra has held vice president positions at the New York City public relations firms 5W PR, Rubenstein Public Relations, and Edelman. At Edelman, Alexandra oversaw the global public relations, branding, and social mission strategies for Dove and Unilever. She led the team that created the 10th Anniversary of Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty and conceived the documentary short-film Selfie, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Her work on Dove won a Clio Award and was nominated for a Cannes Lion Award as well as a Shorty Award for social media. Alexandra has worked for several healthcare nonprofits including The National Council for Mental Wellbeing in Washington, DC, Baylor Scott & White Health, and RWJ Barnabas Heath. Alexandra graduated Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in English Literature and Art History.