Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program
Shape the Future with Strategic Leadership
Overview
The UC Berkeley Executive Education Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program prepares current and aspiring strategy leaders to strengthen strategic thinking, lead enterprise transformation, and address emerging business challenges. The program takes a cross-functional approach spanning leadership, finance, operations, marketing, and technology strategy. Through live online sessions, applied learning, case studies, and peer collaboration, participants gain practical insights into innovation, digital transformation, growth strategy, and organizational leadership.
The program also offers opportunities to engage with global peers and expand professional networks through an immersive campus experience at UC Berkeley Haas.
Key Takeaways
Drive Strategic Growth
Think critically and strategically by evaluating long-term goals, market dynamics, and competitive positioning to guide enterprise growth
Leverage Technology and AI
Assess the impact of technology on business models and operations while using digital tools and AI-driven strategies to create value
Foster Innovation and Change
Cultivate a culture of innovation by encouraging experimentation, creative problem-solving, and forward-looking thinking across teams
Strengthen Leadership and Decision-Making
Enhance analytical and leadership capabilities to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and lead organizations through change
More about the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program
The learning journey
The Berkeley Executive Education Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program combines live online sessions, case studies, and applied projects to strengthen strategic leadership capabilities. Participants engage with UC Berkeley Haas faculty and industry experts throughout the program, culminating in a two-day campus immersion.
AI strategy and innovation
Examine the strategic applications of AI through expert-led insights and practical frameworks, and understand its role in decision-making, operational efficiency, and business transformation.
Capstone strategy projects
Across core modules, you will work on applied projects focused on key aspects of the CSO role, including strategic execution, enterprise leadership, C-suite collaboration, and technology integration. These assignments are designed to help you strengthen your strategic decision-making capabilities.
Global leadership campus immersion
The program concludes with a two-day campus immersion, featuring faculty-led sessions, guest lectures, peer discussions, and networking opportunities. Engage with industry leaders, innovators, and fellow participants while exploring emerging perspectives on strategy and leadership.
Who's it for
The UC Berkeley Executive Education Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program is designed for experienced professionals looking to strengthen their strategic leadership and decision-making capabilities. The program is ideal for, but not limited to:
- Current and aspiring CSOs looking to hone their strategic leadership capabilities and lead organizational transformation initiatives
- Senior business leaders across strategy, product, marketing, finance, and operations, seeking to enhance strategic thinking and drive enterprise-wide change
- Experienced professionals and senior consultants with over 15 years of experience aiming to transition into broader strategic leadership and C-suite roles
Want to approach your employer about supporting your development? Check out this article.
Format & Structure
Blended
- Two-day in-person networking event at the UC Berkeley campus in California
- Live online series with faculty director
- World-renowned Berkeley Haas and Executive Education faculty
- Join peer circles, a close-knit learning community of a subset of your classmates for confidential, substantive discussions
- Access select UC Berkeley Haas alumni benefits upon completion of the program
- Upon completion, this program awards 12 curriculum days (minimum requirement of 17 curriculum days) toward COBE under the Leadership & Communication and Strategy & Management pillars.
Dates & Costs
Blended
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What are the key outcomes of the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program?
Participants will strengthen their strategic thinking, leadership, and execution capabilities while learning to lead growth, innovation, and enterprise transformation.
How does the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program address AI and emerging technologies?
The curriculum explores how leaders can leverage AI, data, and emerging technologies to drive strategic decision-making, innovation, and business transformation.
What is the learning format of the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program?
The program combines online learning, live faculty-led sessions, practical assignments, and an in-person campus immersion at UC Berkeley Haas.
Who will I learn alongside in the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program?
Participants typically include senior executives, strategy leaders, business heads, consultants, and functional leaders from diverse industries and geographies.
How can this program support long-term career growth?
The program helps experienced professionals expand their strategic leadership capabilities, strengthen cross-functional influence, and prepare for broader enterprise leadership responsibilities.
Partner
UC Berkeley Executive Education has partnered with Emeritus to deliver high-impact online programs. This collaboration broadens access to our premier management thought leadership while maintaining the exceptional quality of UC Berkeley.
Partner
UC Berkeley Executive Education has partnered with Emeritus to deliver high-impact online programs. This collaboration broadens access to our premier management thought leadership while maintaining the exceptional quality of UC Berkeley.
Faculty
Saikat Chaudhuri
Faculty Director, M.E.T. Program and Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Hub | Grimes M.E.T. Chancellor's Chair | Teaching Professor, Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management of Organizations
Sara Beckman
Teaching Professor | Earl F. Cheit Faculty Fellow Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Innovation & Design | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability, Haas School of Business
Jennifer Chatman
Bank of America Dean | Co-Founder, Berkeley Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation | Professor, Management of Organizations, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
David Evan Harris
Chancellor’s Public Scholar, Lecturer, Business & Public Policy | Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership
Abhishek Nagaraj
Associate Professor | Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management of Organizations
Sameer Srivastava
Professor | Ewald T. Grether Professor of Business Administration and Public Policy | Chair, Management of Organizations | Co-Director, Computational Culture Lab | Co-Director, Berkeley Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation
Terry Taylor
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs | Milton W. Terrill Chaired Professor of Business Administration | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability
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.
