Head, Government Affairs and Global Policy, Nikola Corporation

Alana leads Nikola’s external government affairs engagement, advocacy and global policy strategy with elected officials, regulators, government agencies, industry partners and ally organizations. In her enterprise-wide role, she is responsible for collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to cultivate broad understanding and support for advancing the deployment of zero-emissions vehicle technology and fueling infrastructure, and building a hydrogen economy.

Prior to joining Nikola, Alana worked for several years at Arizona Public Service (APS), as a Senior Community Affairs Representative for Strategic Partnerships and brings more than 20 years of experience working in various roles in the public and private sectors. During her career, Alana has advanced key initiatives impacting emerging transportation and clean energy technologies; corporate engagement and community giving programs, strategic partnerships, diversity/inclusion and multicultural relations; workforce/vocational training; regional/inter-regional governance and planning; regulatory rule-makings; federal, state and local policy development, community (re)development projects; political campaigns, issue positioning, grassroots coalition building; PR/advertising/media campaigns; and international economic affairs/trade.

Alana holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Intercultural Communication and a Master of Public Administration, with a focus on comparative administrative systems, from Arizona State University. Committed to continuous education, training and leadership development, in 2019 Alana was selected to participate with a cohort of female employees in an “Exploring Leadership Series” at Arizona Public Service and joined the Valley Leadership Institute’s Class 40 program. In 2015, Alana completed an Executive Education program, “Leading Economic Growth”, focusing on emerging economies and community economic health, at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government and Center for International Development.

Recognitions include: Valley Leadership’s Class 40, Phoenix Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40”, Arizona’s “Who’s Who in Business 2011” – Highest Ranking Women in Business, Arizona State University Alumni Association Woman of the Year and Arizona State University Homecoming Queen.

Community service includes working on issues pertaining to transportation, public safety, education, healthcare, international relations, workforce development, urban revitalization, accessibility/diversity/inclusion and autism awareness.