Community ENGAGEMENT
Alper is actively involved both personally and professionally in local, national and international organizations that support causes that improve peoples’ lives and their communities. Below are some of the organizations and causes in which he has participated over the years.
Rise Up For Heroes
Rise Up for Heroes is a campaign designed to celebrate the exceptional courage of those on the frontline battling COVID-19. The production of this video is Alper's way of thanking the heroes at COVID-19 task force hospitals.
TEDxSTLOUIS
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. Started as a conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support change agents and their ideas through multiple initiatives. Alper secured the rights to TEDx, the designation for independently and locally organized TED talks that bring people together to share their ideas and experiences.
Illumination GALA
As the premier fundraising event for The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the Illumination Gala rallies members of the St. Louis community to advance cancer research. All proceeds support the Cancer Frontier Fund, thus helping researchers at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Washington University School of Medicine to accelerate breakthroughs in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer. Alper served as a co-founder and producer of the Illumination Gala.
Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week or GEW started with a central question: What if there was a global movement to inspire people everywhere to actualize their ideas and take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey? Representatives from 37 countries were on hand when GEW was announced in 2007. By 2008, organizations in 77 countries had registered. Alper was among the 3 million people who participated in over 25,000 events and activities.
Pedal The Cause
Founded in 2010, Pedal the Cause is an annual cycling challenge in St. Louis. The event raises funds for cancer research at the Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital. With public donations, Pedal the Cause has become a leading event for raising awareness about cancer in the community. As a co-founder and producer of this event, Alper was instrumental in helping Pedal the Cause make significant contributions to the advancement of cancer research.
Aha WOMEN'S SPEAKER SERIES
Aha is an emerging national speaker series that encourages interactive experiences in which women share their "aha" moments and life stories. Events can occur in a variety of formats, including multi-day conferences, meet-up groups, panels, webcasts and galas. Typically, these events illuminate a specific topic and theme that focus on issues that are of concern to a specific audience. Speakers are selected based on their ability to engage audiences with their unique stories and life experiences. Alper has supported and encouraged members of this organization in their efforts to provide a space in which the exchange of ideas will transform the lives of women.