Most companies don’t struggle with strategy or operations in isolation—they struggle to connect the two. This Academy is designed to bridge that gap by developing leaders who can think strategically and execute effectively. Here, you will learn to solve complex business challenges, deliver strategic recommendations, and drive operational results through hands-on experience.
The Strategy & Operations Academy develops the consulting-grade skills top employers value: structured problem-solving, clear communication, and the ability to deliver results. Graduates are prepared for careers in consulting, corporate strategy, and business operations, where strategic thinking and execution go hand in hand. Explore the distinct career pathways detailed below.
Work with clients to solve high-impact problems.
Set direction and guide critical business decisions.
Execute, improve performance, and deliver results.
Throughout the MBA first year, students engage directly with professionals from leading consulting firms and major corporations, gaining firsthand insight into how strategy, innovation, and operations management are executed in practice. Our premier network includes:
Students build career-ready capabilities through interactive on-site sessions with leading companies, virtual workshops, multiday case competitions, and spring projects—working alongside experienced practitioners to develop the problem-solving and communication skills required to succeed from day one in their internships.
Through this Academy, you’ll develop practical, career-ready problem-solving skills and learn how to apply them to real-world strategy, consulting, and operational challenges. Explore the alumni success stories below to see how this experience launches graduates into top-tier firms and corporations.
Associate
McKinsey & Company
“The Academy prepared me for my role by immersing me in hands-on work with real clients and complex business challenges. It strengthened my ability to structure ambiguous problems, develop clear, actionable insights, and deliver results in a rigorous, client-ready way.”
General Manager, Energy Services Vertical
Alpine Investors - PE
“The Academy prepared me for the fast-paced, results-driven environment of private-equity-backed operations. At Alpine Investors, I apply the skills developed at the Academy to improve operations, solve complex business problems, and accelerate EBITDA growth.”
Manager
Deloitte
“As a career pivoter, the Academy enhanced my consulting toolkit. Applying my learnings sharpened my strategic and communication skills, boosting my confidence during my internship. Additionally, the relationships with alumni and peers remain invaluable as I continue to grow and give back.”
Market Access Engagement
Novartis
“The Academy truly was the highlight of my Kelley MBA experience, seamlessly connecting what I learned in the classroom with real-world challenges. It helped me hone my problem-solving and storytelling skills, enabling me to make a positive impact immediately in both consulting and industry roles.”
Senior Consultant
EY-Parthenon
“This Academy strengthened both my analytical and interpersonal skill sets, preparing me to work across diverse teams and clients at EY-Parthenon. The experience pushed me to think strategically, communicate effectively, and lead with adaptability.”
Strategy & Operations
“Joining the Academy was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA. It gave me the toolkit to break down a complex, ambiguous problem into digestible pieces. The key to success was mastering the art of the "ask" to accelerate stakeholder buy-in. These skills remain essential to my role at Google every day.”
Consultant
Bain & Company
“Coming from an entrepreneurial background, the Academy gave me the opportunity to work through real consulting engagements. It strengthened my structured problem-solving, data analysis, and client communication skills, which prepared me for my role at Bain.”
Senior Director - Business Development
Lilly
“The Academy provided a strong foundation in structuring problems and translating strategy into execution. That skill set has been critical to my role at Lilly, where I work across teams to align stakeholders and drive meaningful business outcomes.”
Deals Manager
PwC - M&A Advisory
“The Academy was one of the most impactful parts of my MBA experience. The spring project gave me the opportunity to work with a Fortune 50 CFO, which built my confidence in tackling ambiguous problems. I applied these skills during my internship, engaging senior stakeholders with a consulting mindset.”
Principal Product Manager
Microsoft
“The Academy was where my MBA came to life. It equipped me with structured problem-solving skills to navigate ambiguity, reinforced a customer-first mindset to deliver user-focused solutions, and coached me to communicate ideas to executives with clarity while focusing on strategic business outcomes.”
Manager
Accenture Strategy
“The Academy helped me strengthen skills that I use every day at Accenture Strategy. These skills enable me to tackle ambiguous problems, develop clear, practical recommendations, and deliver results for our clients.”
Sr. Business Development Manager
Sempra Infrastructure
“The Academy provided an opportunity to gain real-world experience. I learned to structure and solve business problems and, more importantly, help organizations drive change—all under the guidance of a 30-year consulting veteran. I use these skills every day in my project development role, managing complex, high-stakes initiatives.”
Senior Consultant
EY
“The Academy, and Scott in particular, pushed me to grow in ways no other part of my MBA did. Scott goes out of his way to bring out the best in everyone, and the spring project made me feel internship-ready and confident when working with clients. The Academy also provided networking opportunities that helped me build professional relationships early on.”
Senior Global Sourcing Manager
General Motors
“The Academy elevated my ability to operate where strategy meets execution—where value is created or lost. It developed the skills I use daily at General Motors: managing complex supplier negotiations, balancing technical and financial tradeoffs, and guiding multimillion-dollar programs to measurable results.”
We offer mentoring, hands-on experience, and direct exposure to leaders across consulting firms, large corporations, and private equity. You’ll learn directly from executives and operators responsible for performance and receive ongoing mentorship from the Academy director, career coaches, second-year mentors, and Kelley’s strong alumni network.
In the spring, you’ll join Kelley Advisory Services and take on live client projects from day one. You’ll break down complex problems, develop practical solutions, and present to senior leaders. The experience is collaborative, fast-paced, and designed to mirror the consulting work you’ll do during your internship—and throughout your career.
Students interested in consulting can go deeper, building the skills, experience, and network needed to stand out and succeed in a highly competitive recruiting environment. Consider the following opportunities to build your readiness:
Strategy & Operations Academy Director
jslaugh@iu.edu
Scott brings more than 30 years of consulting and transformation experience as a senior managing director at Accenture, where he was based in their Chicago office. He worked with Fortune 500 clients early in his career and was later responsible for leading many of Accenture’s global practice areas. His client delivery and internal leadership positions give him a unique blend of expertise across strategy, operations, consulting, and systems integration.
Prior to working at Accenture, he received his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.