Karen Alexander, PhD, is a seasoned XR professional with experience across the corporate, higher education, and startup sectors. She is a co-founder and Executive Director of XR Women, a global community that serves as a catalyst for the success of women in the field, as well as of the Academy of Immersive Arts & Sciences, dedicated to advancing the field through education, inspiration, and recognition of accomplishments. She has provided strategic advising for companies seeking to implement XR training, managed projects to transform 2D learning materials into interactive 3D experiences for enterprise, and led policy development and compliance efforts for growing organizations. Dr. Alexander is a member of the Immersive Learning Research Network’s Inaugural Circle of Scholars and an international advisor on XR implementation in higher education. She is currently working on Digital Threads in 3D environments and using AI agent avatars in immersive worlds. Dr. Alexander believes that technology has the power to improve lives with an intentionally human-centered approach.