Ali Hasanaj

Ali Hasanaj is a dynamic business development leader and higher education professional with over eight years of experience in driving strategic recruitment partnerships, talent development initiatives, and career programming across higher education, and workforce development agencies. Most recently Ali served as Assistant Director, Employer Relations at Columbia Business School, where he led global employer engagement strategies, consulted with senior executives across five industries, and supported the design of early career and leadership development programs.

Throughout his career, Ali has held key roles at major workforce and higher education organizations, including a global staffing firm, a private college, and one of the largest workforce development agencies in New York. In these roles, he has consistently expanded employer networks, launched early career pipelines, and placed hundreds of New Yorkers in meaningful employment. His work spans multiple industries and focuses on creating scalable recruitment solutions, designing impactful events, and consulting on diversity hiring practices. Known for his consultative and data-driven approach, Ali has collaborated with corporate partners such as Apple, IBM, Pfizer, Amazon, Moderna, Samsung and Google to develop tailored recruitment pipelines aligned with business goals and diversity hiring strategies. He has helped many students—from first-generation college students to MBA candidates—navigate complex career landscapes and connect with roles that match their potential. Ali takes pride in building systems that not only meet employer needs but also empower students to envision and achieve ambitious career outcomes.

His core strengths include strategic partnership development, campus recruitment, business development, workforce programming, and talent acquisition. Ali is passionate about connecting mission-driven employers with emerging talent and shaping early career pathways through inclusive, impactful collaboration.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Labor and Human Resources Management from The Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Tirana. Outside of work, Ali enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling.