Gain Perspective, Build Empathy, Feel Gratitude

Ariel has over 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, management, and activism and has lived, worked, and studied all over the world.

How does it feel to be selected for the Alumni 100 list?

"Wow, I am thrilled, surprised and honoured to be on the Alumni 100 list! I'm incredibly appreciative of my time at the University of Edinburgh and humbled to be part of this amazing group of people."

What made you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School?

"I wanted to bring best business practices to nonprofit management, as a means to scale up and strengthen entrepreneurial projects that had great potential to do amazing work in the world but lacked the necessary knowledge and skillsets to succeed. The team at the University of Edinburgh was as excited by that idea as I was, which was a very unusual reaction and perspective from an MBA programme at the time.

What are your memories of studying at the Business School?

"Beer, lots of beer. And friends, lots of friends. Oh, did you ask about studying? I very much enjoyed the academic programme and the overall environment at the Business School—professional, international, and fun! I appreciated the focus on experiential learning. And I especially loved working with people from all over the world on projects and learning about how culture affects the way we operate and function in groups."

What key thing that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

"I learnt that the best negotiators and leaders know how to create win-wins, that cooperation produces better results than competition in most situations. I try to ensure that each interaction and transaction I am part of leaves everyone feeling like they got something important they needed or wanted, while always pushing the needle forward for my organisation."

Proudest work-related achievement to date?

"One of my proudest work-related achievements was building a nonprofit from the ground up, from an idea to an organisation that has provided clean water to over 50,000 people and saved 1 million acres of rainforest in a very difficult place to make an impact—deep in the rainforest of the DR Congo. I have passed the torch on that project, but I still help out whenever they need me!"

What's the one thing you think current students need to develop or learn before entering the modern workplace?

"Get to know people who are not like you and travel to places that are not easy. You'll gain perspective, build empathy, and feel gratitude for your own circumstances."