Alex Hatoum, MHS

 

Alex Hatoum is the Managing Director at IHS. Alex began his academic journey by earning an International Baccalaureate diploma before pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution at San Diego State University (SDSU). In his final year, he was selected for a highly competitive internship with the U.S. Marshals Service, contributing to Operation Falcon II within the Violent Crimes Task Force. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Alex joined SDSU’s inaugural Graduate Program in Homeland Security.

 

Following his graduate education, Alex served in the U.S. Army and was selected as an advisor to the Executive Office of the President within the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In this role, he advised two administrations—under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama—and collaborated with members of the House Intelligence Committee on critical transnational crime issues.

 

After his government service, Alex co-founded IHS, a consultancy that advises agencies like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Office of Naval Research and the Office of the Geographer of the United States on matters including disaster response, wildlife trafficking, food security, and water security. He also partnered IHS with organizations such as the J. Craig Venter Institute and the Roddenberry Foundation, where he co-founded and led the foundation’s Disaster Response Team. There, he oversaw the development and deployment of the Water Aid and Renewable Power (WARP) systems to regions including Nepal, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

 

In late 2019, as the world faced increasing travel restrictions, Alex pivoted to the emerging blockchain sector. He played a significant role in the launch of the Polkadot Network.

 

In recognition of his work, Alex was selected for the initial cohort of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Emerging Technology Program.

He lives with his wife, Denisse, and their son, in Southern California.​