With extensive experience in the public and private sectors, we have a demonstrated record of translating fast-moving developments in DC and beyond into actionable advice and solutions to solve critical business challenges.
Alex Zerden is a trusted advisor helping organizations, ranging from early- and growth-stage companies to large, established corporations and nonprofits, navigate complex regulatory, legal, public policy, and geopolitical issues.
As a regulatory lawyer, economic policymaker, and financial diplomat, Alex brings extensive public and private sector experience at the intersection of financial services and law with a focus on economic statecraft, financial regulation, and economic crisis response. Areas of expertise include anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), economic sanctions, anti-corruption, financial enforcement and oversight investigations, and public-private partnerships.
Previously, Alex worked across the U.S. government, including at the White House National Economic Council, House of Representatives, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), and the Treasury Department’s Office of International Affairs, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). He deployed to Afghanistan as Financial Attaché, leading the Treasury Department office at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
Alex has published on issues involving AML/CFT, geoeconomics and economic statecraft, economic sanctions, anti-corruption, cybersecurity, and FinTech, including with the American Banker, Atlantic Council, Brookings Institution Lawfare Institute (where he serves as a contributing editor), Center for American Progress, Center for Strategic and International Studies, the New York University School of Law Center on Law and Security, War on the Rocks, and other outlets.
Alex regularly appears in U.S. and international media, including Al Jazeera, BBC, Bloomberg, the Financial Times, France24, the National, Semafor, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.
Alex is a Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Term Member, an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, an Adjunct Professor at the American University Washington College of Law, and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).
Alex received his B.A., cum laude, from Tufts University, and his J.D., summa cum laude, from the American University Washington College of Law.
Copyright © 2026 Capitol Peak Strategies LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Capitol Peak Strategies LLC is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or opinions.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.