Alexandra “Ali” Ernst is a Workforce Development Specialist at the Academy for Professional Excellence, where she develops and supports training initiatives that strengthen the Adult Protective Services (APS) workforce. With more than 10 years of experience in instructional design, training development, workforce development, and program management, Ali is passionate about creating engaging learning experiences that build professional capacity and support effective service delivery.
Before joining the Academy, Ali worked with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), providing strategic program management, consultation, and training development support to local and global teams serving displaced populations. In San Diego, she led workforce development and community-based initiatives supporting refugees and asylum seekers, including the development of culturally responsive training programs, gender-responsive initiatives, and psychosocial support services for survivors of crime.
Ali’s commitment to cultural humility and inclusive practice was further shaped by her service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural central China. These experiences continue to inform her approach to curriculum development, adult learning, and workforce support. She holds a Master of Education in Counseling and Trauma-Informed Care from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from University of California, Davis. Her areas of expertise include instructional design, curriculum development, adult learning, workforce development, trauma-informed practice, cultural responsiveness, and Adult Protective Services training. Outside of work, Ali enjoys traveling, camping, surfing, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
