Alexandra Cardenas
About Alexandra Cardenas
Alexandra Cardenas serves as the Head of Public Affairs at Starling Bank, where she specializes in strategy development and stakeholder engagement. She has a diverse background in law and public affairs, with experience at organizations such as UNHCR, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Animal Defenders International.
Current Role at Starling Bank
Alexandra Cardenas serves as the Head of Public Affairs at Starling Bank, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on strategy development, evidence-based policy, and stakeholder engagement. Her responsibilities include managing large departmental budgets and overseeing teams of over 50 individuals across various countries. Cardenas contributes to the bank's public affairs strategy, ensuring effective communication and relationship management with stakeholders.
Education and Expertise
Alexandra Cardenas holds an LLM in Human Rights Law from the University of London, which she completed from 2007 to 2009. She also earned a Legal Secretaries Diploma with distinction from the Institute of Legal Secretaries in 2011. Cardenas obtained her LLB from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, where she studied from 1997 to 2004. Her educational background supports her expertise in strategy development, policy formulation, and legal advisory roles.
Professional Background
Before her current role, Alexandra Cardenas accumulated extensive experience in various organizations. She worked at UNHCR as a Project Coordinator in 2004 for 11 months in Bogota, Colombia. Cardenas served as a Lecturer in Law at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana from 2004 to 2007. She transitioned to the UK, where she held positions such as Chief of Staff (interim) at The Law Society from 2015 to 2021, Senior Public Affairs Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support from 2012 to 2015, and Global Campaigns Manager at Animal Defenders International from 2008 to 2012.
Achievements in Public Affairs
Throughout her career, Alexandra Cardenas has achieved significant changes in legislation related to healthcare, animal welfare, and legal services. She has specialized in commercial transactions concerning information technology, intellectual property, and data protection. Cardenas has also successfully grown organizational income through grants and sponsorships in her various roles, demonstrating her effectiveness in public affairs and stakeholder engagement.
Legal Qualifications
Alexandra Cardenas holds dual qualifications as a solicitor in both England & Wales and Colombia. This dual qualification enhances her ability to navigate complex legal environments and provide comprehensive legal advice on a range of commercial contracts, including services agreements and software license and maintenance agreements.