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.