Joan is a Tony® Award winning producer and businesswoman. She was Vice President of Business Development for BRI International, a contract research organization which was acquired by Quintiles Transnational in 1996. She oversaw corporate business development and the coordination and implementation of marketing and sales strategies for BRI companies and affiliates in the UK, Europe and Japan. BRI grew from $1 million to over $35 million in revenues during her tenure. More recently, she has provided strategic planning and business development strategies to industry clients. Alper is a graduate of Mills College, Oakland, CA.