Alex Cogan is the senior manager for State and Local Government Affairs at American Progress. Prior to joining American Progress, she worked in disability, criminal justice, and mental health policy in Texas. Cogan previously worked for the city of Austin, supporting citywide economic development initiatives. Cogan earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas and bachelor’s degrees in journalism and sociology from the University of Georgia. In her free time, you can find her hiking with her dog, bouldering at the gym, or reading in the park.