The Berkeley Changemaker Program
Navigate, Shape, and Lead Positive Change for Yourself and Others
Overview
The Berkeley Changemaker ® is a visionary leadership training program built for those currently leading strategic change or aspiring to do so. This unique and specialized course is rooted in UC Berkeley's core principles—including questioning the status quo and going beyond yourself—and in its longstanding association with thought leadership and innovation.
From inspiring change to stimulating action, the Berkeley Changemaker provides a wealth of new knowledge and hard skills to help you apply strategic thinking to your change management processes, discover new sources of purpose, and leverage your vision to spark action in others. You’ll learn how to embody an entrepreneurial spirit to spot new opportunities, galvanize high-impact teams, overcome obstacles, communicate with clarity, and fully step into your role as a changemaker.
Key Takeaways
Master the 3 C's of a Changemaker
Grasp the essential concepts that a Changemaker must embrace and exemplify: critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Learn the importance of each and how to properly employ them in your change-making efforts.
Harness Your Vision for Bigger Impact
Learn to use the power of your vision to craft a great story, be a better communicator, and employ an inclusive leadership approach to engage and inspire others to be part of your change efforts.
Navigate, Shape, and Lead Change Effectively
Learn real-world, time-tested strategies for galvanizing change efforts of all types, resolving conflicts, and overcoming other common obstacles so you can work smarter, not harder.
More about the Berkeley Changemaker program
In these uncertain and chaotic times, the world needs strong leaders with the vision and tenacity to challenge assumptions and rally the support of others to collectively make a positive and sustainable impact. But how does one successfully maneuver and create change in an often ambiguous and volatile business and social environment?
To effectively adapt, grow, and succeed today—leaders must have a strong understanding how to inspire and implement change with the mindset and skill set of a unique breed of leader called a “Changemaker”. Changemakers combine a strong vision with thoughtful approaches to increasing team buy-in and output while skillfully navigating the uncharted and often uneven terrain of change. Unfortunately, this important knowledge is rarely taught, leaving professionals and their organizations lost and overwhelmed amidst growing change challenges.
Acquire the Mindset & Tools of an Effective Changemaker
Grounded in the 3 C’s of Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration, the Berkeley Changemaker helps current and aspiring change agents like you become more strategic and entrepreneurial so you can catalyze change for yourself, your teams, and your community. You’ll learn to quickly spot opportunities, master scaling ideas throughout your organization, and drive inspired progress—despite potential roadblocks.
This leading change program also incorporates valuable collaboration and inclusive leadership training to help you increase your self-awareness, build research-backed skills for working in high-impact teams, and gain actionable steps to become a more impactful and inspiring leader.
Enjoy An Engaging Program Experience
Throughout the three-day in-person workshop Faculty Director, Alex Budak, will guide you through a dynamic combination of activities to maximize your learning retention and increase your ability to lead with vision, including:
- hands-on learning
- engaging lectures
- illuminating case studies
- high-profile guest speakers
- guided reflection
Confidently Step Into Your New Role
Upon completion of this visionary leadership course, you’ll be equipped with the powerful tools you’ll need to drive change, even in the midst of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With a solid sense of purpose and understanding of how to create a positive impact, regardless of your industry, you’ll leave this program energized and ready to embody your new Changemaker identity.
Who's it for
- Mid-level professionals looking to be more entrepreneurial and go beyond themselves to inspire change in their organization
- Late-stage executives in search of opportunities to make a significant social impact and transform their personal and professional lives
- Anyone seeking the tools and inspiration to inspire others and turn their vision into tangible, real-world solutions
Want to approach your employer about professional development classes and request employer support? Read the Employer Payment Assistance Guide.
Format & Structure
In-Person
- Three-day in-person program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business campus
- Strategic and entrepreneurial changemaker leadership training
- World-renowned Berkeley Haas and Executive Education Faculty
- Mix of lectures, case studies, guest speakers, panel discussions, and coaching
- Exclusive networking opportunities
- Access to the program alumni community
- A Berkeley Changemaker Certificate of Completion
Dates & Costs
In-Person
Other Ways to Participate
Attend this program with a group of your colleagues.
Attend this program with colleagues to gain greater organizational impact. Groups of five or more receive special rates.
Customize this program for your organization.
Use this program's curriculum as the foundation of a program based on your company's unique objectives.
What people are saying
Get more information
Download the Berkeley Changemaker Program Guide
The complimentary guide includes sample schedule, program curriculum, learning objectives, and more.
Employer Reimbursement
Gain tips on how to approach your manager about professional development and tuition reimbursement.
How do I enroll in the Berkeley Changemaker program?
Enrolling in any one of our programs is simple:
- Click on the "enroll" button on the program page
- Create an account or log in to our customer portal
- Complete the online reservation form (should take less than 2 minutes)
- Pay by credit card to complete your enrollment, or select your preferred payment type to reserve your seat and connect with the finance team
How much time can I expect to spend on coursework each day?
We know that time away from the office is precious, so we work hard to make our program experiences as productive and valuable as possible. Our programs span full business days starting between 8:30-9:00 a.m. and running through 5 p.m. with lunch served in the classroom and short breaks throughout the day.
Approximately 1-2 hours of evening activities and preparation for the next day are required for some programs. Please download the program guide for more detail.
Do your programs provide credits towards a degree, grades, transcripts, or Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?
Our programs are non-degree programs and do not hold any credit unit equivalency, letter grades, pass/fail designation, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or transcripts. Rather, we provide a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program.
To qualify for a certificate of completion, a participant must meet the minimum requirements as noted for each program and maintaining at least 80% attendance/engagement.
Can I enroll in a program if I live outside of the U.S.?
Yes. Enrollment is available to global leaders, but visa requirements may apply. Proficiency in written and spoken English at a level that allows full engagement and participation in a program is recommended.
For most international participants, a B1/B2 visa—for participation in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, or seminars—is required for entry into the United States to attend a program with us.
Requesting and receiving a visa takes time and we recommend beginning the process three or four months in advance of the start date of a program.
You can ask your Program Manager to prepare an invitation letter to help with your visa application. It is important to emphasize that the visit is for business purposes.
The Visa Waiver Program is available to citizens or nationals from select countries. Check the Department of State website to determine your eligibility and learn about the waiver process.
The list of countries sanctioned by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control currently includes: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Ukraine-Crimea Region, plus the addition of Russia for Berkeley Executive Education at this time.
About the Berkeley Changemaker® Initiative
Berkeley Changemaker® is a campus-wide initiative that includes some 30 courses and programs, all based on three through-lines—critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. The initiative was co-founded in 2020 by Rich Lyons, former dean of the Haas School of Business, current chief officer of innovation and entrepreneurship, and future Chancellor at the University of California, Berkeley (effective July 1, 2024).
Berkeley Changemaker codifies an essential part of what UC Berkeley has always stood for and provides a galvanizing narrative for the whole campus.
Rich Lyons, Chancellor of UC Berkeley
Faculty
Brandi Pearce
Lecturer | Director, High Impact Teams & Research | Team@Haas, Haas School of Business
Marco T. Lindsey
Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Haas School of Business
Certificates
Certificate of Completion
Signal your professional achievement to your network and get recognized for your completion! Upon successful completion of the program, UC Berkeley Executive Education grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants that you are encouraged to add to your profiles.
Note: This program results in a digital certificate of completion and is not eligible for degree credit/CEUs. After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you directly. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of UC Berkeley Executive Education.
Certificate of Business Excellence
Participants in the Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE) program will earn a mark of distinction from a world-class university, gain access to a powerful global network, and enjoy the flexibility of completing the program in up to three years. A UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence allows individuals to create a personal learning journey structured by our four academic pillars to gain management essentials in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Finance to drive both personal and organizational development.
