Alex Shields: Finding Home In the Fight

Who is Alex Shields?

I am a person who is passionate about a lot of things, including mental health, public health, environmental justice — really anything in the health and wellness space. A lot of it started in college, where I was meeting so many people and realizing how much we all had in common in terms of what we deal with and struggle with. I actually created a space on campus for students to talk about mental health. That experience opened up a larger world of public health for me, and I've been building on it ever since.

Outside of work, I'm a huge movie person — I'm constantly at the movies. I'm also a Star Wars nerd (I saw Mandalorian & Grogu and I have zero regrets). I do yoga, I read a lot, and I'm a dedicated reality TV watcher. I'm also a big sushi lover. I live in Prince George’s County, Maryland with my family, which I love. I went to Towson University for undergrad and American University for grad school, so I've always been rooted in the DC area — and honestly, I think it's the best area around.

How did you find your way to Tobacco-Free Kids?

When I finished grad school and started job searching, I found a role at Tobacco-Free Kids that looked interesting to me. Tobacco control seemed like a genuinely great cause — and it tied into things I already cared deeply about, like safeguarding public health. I also had a passion for digital communications and social media, so it felt like a place where I could grow those skills while learning something new.

I'll be honest — I didn't have a personal connection to the tobacco issue when I started. But that changed quickly. When you work alongside people who have lost family members to tobacco, who have a firsthand connection to why this work matters, it shifts something in you. My first manager sat me down early on and shared what he'd witnessed in his own family. That stuck with me. And once you learn about the targeting and predatory practices of the tobacco industry, it's not just "tobacco being available at a store." People are being preyed upon. That changes how you show up every day.

What is your role?

I'm on the U.S. Communications team. I like to think of myself as a Swiss Army knife. I work across social media, messaging, youth programs, and partnerships - basically communications in every direction. The through line is finding ways to amplify our issue and make sure we're reaching the right people.

What does a day in the life look like?

It really varies, and that's my favorite part! There's a lot of connecting with teammates and colleagues across the organization, a lot of email, planning out social content and meetings. No two days look the same. There's no monotony, and I appreciate that.

What's the culture like?

This is my first full-time job, and I was nervous going in about whether I'd find people I could really connect with. By the second week, I knew I'd found my people. I have colleagues and friends all over the organization. I never feel like there's a place I don't belong.

The mentorship here has been a big part of that too. There's a formal mentor program, but it goes well beyond that. I feel comfortable having real conversations — career advice, personal stuff — with people at every level. There's a warmth here, even at the top of the organization. The more I've gotten to work closely with senior leadership, the more I've seen that these are just passionate, genuine people.

Where do you hope this work takes you?

In four years, I've grown in important ways. I think that's the hope for the future — to keep expanding what I've started and having a more direct hand in outcomes I can point to and say: “I helped make that happen.”

As for the organization's future — I want to see us invest even more in young leaders. I recently got to listen in on a World Health Organization webinar where one of our youth ambassadors spoke, someone we've been working with for just a couple of years. It was one of the most rewarding things I've witnessed here. These young people are going to be the ones leading this work one day. We're planting seeds and helping them along, and I hope we keep doing more of that.

What would you tell someone considering an opportunity with Tobacco-Free Kids?

This organization is unlike any workplace I've experienced. I've been at internships where I liked the cause but dreaded going in. Here, it's different. You feel the reward of the work and the reward of the people around you. If you're good at what you do and you care about the mission, that's the foundation, and then you get this community of genuinely amazing people on top of it. You will never be bored. It will feel like home.