Roee Alper        

Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

“Passport-stamped story collector, maestro of organized chaos, connecting people through culture and music.”

Hometown: Nes Ziona, Israel

Fun Fact About Yourself: I play more than seven different musical instruments and host sound healing workshops every month to 5-100 participants in festivals, retreat centers, high-tech companies, and yoga classes around the world.

Undergraduate School and Major: Tel-Hai Collage (Israel), East Asian studies

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Head of Campaign Operation, Sea Shepherd

In the second half of the year, you will be completing an Academy devoted to areas like Marketing, Finance, Operations, Digital Enterprises and more. Which Academy interests you the most and why? Operations. It’s simple. I’ve always been the kind of person who prefers to roll up his sleeves and dive into the action. Initially, I envisioned myself as an impact consultant, sharing insights from a bird’s-eye view. But the universe has its way of steering us toward our true passion. My last role at Sea Shepherd was eye-opening. As the head of campaign operation, I lived aboard a vessel off the coast of West Africa for four months. It underscored the importance of being in the thick of things, witnessing change unfold firsthand, and yes, getting my hands dirty (both metaphorically and literally).

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Indiana Kelley’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One hundred percent, it’s the people. The outbreak of the October 7th conflict in Israel found me during my application process. From the very first moment, Kelley— particularly MBA Director Gale Gold Nichols — extended unwavering support for anything I needed. They kept in constant weekly contact to ensure the safety of my family and me. Coming from a social impact background, I understand that everything boils down to the people. Despite receiving more generous scholarships, including a full ride from other top 20 business schools, my decision to choose Kelley was straightforward. The genuine concern and connection I felt with Kelley made all the difference, confirming that I was making the right decision to be part of a community that prioritizes people above all else.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Indiana Kelley? Definitely GLOBASE! As someone who’s backpacked for over three years across all continents and more than 20 countries, I’m thrilled at the prospect of merging my love for cultures, travels, and business. The opportunity to leverage Kelley’s resources to empower businesses in developing nations is deeply unique and exciting for me. I can’t wait to exchange ideas about different cultures—like the times I lived in a Buddhist monastery in Thailand, immersed myself for three months in a shamanic community in Guatemala, hitchhiked across Japan, and worked for four months closely with the Ministries of Defense and Navies of Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Liberia. I’ve even been part of a rescue mission in Mozambique post-cyclone. These experiences have shaped my worldview, and I can’t wait to share this global tapestry with my classmates as we strive to make a meaningful impact together.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Indiana Kelley was the right program for you? Why?

Global Sector Vision: I envision myself working on a global stage, and Kelley’s international diversity supports this vision. With over 50% of international students from 19 different countries, it’s the ideal place for cross-cultural connections.

Alumni Network: My outreach to a Kelley alumna—an operations manager at Amazon through LinkedIn to seek her insights regarding my post-MBA career—was met with quick responses and insightful tips during our coffee chat. Her willingness to help for my MBA journey made me realize that this is the kind of network I want to be part of.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As the Head of Operations at Sea Shepherd, I led a major anti-illegal fishing, cross-national inspection operations that involved coordinating over 30 professionals across five departments. This monumental effort culminated in the arrest of 11 fishing vessels across Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia. These arrests were not just a mere enforcement of the law: they were a stand against illegal fishing practices that threaten marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. The operation potentially set the stage for fines totaling an astounding $33 million, reflecting the gravity of the offenses and the impact of our intervention.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Why? Over the last three years, I’ve immersed myself in facilitating sound healing workshops at transformative retreat centers, touching the lives of hundreds of participants. These workshops go beyond mere tuning forks and soothing frequencies; they bridge the gap between body and soul. And here’s the revelation: Success in business isn’t confined to spreadsheets and market trends—it’s about discovering your true purpose through your work. Consider me as fresh perspective, bringing a different lens to the business culture and the intense MBA journey ahead.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2026: THE ‘DO ANYTHING, BE ANYONE’ COHORT