Storytelling for Financial Leaders Program
Transform Financial Insight into Executive Influence
Overview
Today's finance leaders are more than stewards of capital—they're strategic communicators who shape how organizations understand and act on financial reality. Success requires translating complex insights into narratives that build credibility with investors, create alignment internally, and strengthen trust across the value chain.
Most finance leaders have the expertise. What's missing is a framework for turning insight into stories that move people to action.
Storytelling for Finance Leaders is a three-day, in-person training for senior finance and strategy professionals designed to bridge that gap. Through immersive sessions and realistic simulations, you'll learn to empathize with different stakeholders and develop a repeatable approach to crafting narratives that inform decisions and inspire confidence.
Key Takeaways
Turn Financial Data into Strategic Storytelling
Use proven storytelling frameworks and data visualization techniques, and AI-powered tools to transform complex financial insights into compelling audience-specific narratives that drive action and understanding.
Influence Strategy Through Alignment
Harness the power of narrative to align cross-functional teams, influence high-stakes decisions, and lead confidently through disruption, transformation, and change.
Build Executive Presence to Boost Storytelling
Strengthen your credibility with boards, investors, and teams by learning how to communicate financial value with clarity and purpose, elevating your executive presence and strategic impact.
Harness AI to Sharpen Your Story
Use AI tools not to replace your judgment, but to sharpen narratives, stress-test messages, and anticipate stakeholder expectations in real time.
More about the Storytelling for Financial Leaders program
Over the years, finance has evolved to a central force in enterprise strategy. Whether guiding capital allocation, navigating disruption, or communicating with markets, today’s finance leaders are increasingly expected to shape decisions, not just support them. And that requires more than technical fluency. It requires storytelling fluency.
Storytelling for Finance Leaders is built for finance leaders and business executives navigating this evolution. Organized around three connected lenses—external, internal, and value chain storytelling—this program equips you with the tools to move beyond charts and spreadsheets to empathize with audiences, build credibility, clarify value, and lead through narrative.
Harness AI to Tell Your Story
Storytelling isn’t just an art, it’s augmented by data and emerging technologies. This program integrates cutting-edge tools, including AI-powered tools and dynamic visualization platforms, to help you experiment with new ways to craft messages and shape perception. You'll learn how to use these tools not to replace your judgment, but to enhance the speed, clarity, and creativity of your communication; sharpen your narratives; stress-test your messages; and anticipate stakeholder expectations.
An Engaging Program Experience
Led by Panos Patatoukas and UC Berkeley faculty with expertise at the intersection of communication, leadership, and analytics, the program experience includes:
- simulated communication challenges that mirror real executive scenarios
- frameworks for adapting stories to different audiences, from boards to frontline teams
- guided use of AI tools to analyze tone, generate alternative structures, and visualize financial narratives
- peer discussions and personalized coaching to refine your message and delivery
Emerge as a Strategic Storyteller
Not only will you leave the program with a toolkit of storytelling frameworks, but also the confidence to lead through communication. Whether presenting earnings, influencing strategy, or guiding change across the value chain, you'll be equipped to tell stories that build trust, align stakeholders, and elevate your impact as a finance leader.
Who's it for
- Finance leaders with cross-functional exposure: controllers, directors of finance, vice presidents, and other finance executives who engage executive peers, boards, investors, customers, and suppliers
- Finance leaders preparing for C-suite roles: professionals who need to move beyond technical expertise and communicate with impact
- CFOs: sharpening their own storytelling in board, investor, and other high-stakes settings, or developing their teams through a shared framework
- Business leaders across the organization: executives who need to engage with and communicate financial narratives
Want to approach your employer about supporting your professional development? Check out this article.
Format & Structure
In-Person
- Three-day financial storytelling program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business campus
- World-renowned UC Berkeley Haas faculty and experienced industry practitioners
- Realistic simulations spanning investor calls, boardroom scenarios, and value chain conversations
- Peer learning and collaborative refinement woven throughout the program
- Guided use of AI tools to sharpen narratives and stress-test messages
- Blend of practical business storytelling frameworks, faculty-led sessions, and hands-on exercises
- Exclusive in-person networking reception with faculty and peers
- Access to the Storytelling for Financial Leaders alumni community
- Storytelling for Finance Leaders Program Certificate of Completion
May 2026's Program Orientation will be held on May 20 at 11:00 am PT
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.
Get more information
Download the Storytelling for Financial Leaders 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 Storytelling for Financial Leaders 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
Is AI integrated into this financial storytelling program?
Yes, on day three of the program, you’ll explore how AI and data visualization tools can enhance your financial storytelling. Gain practical knowledge on these innovative technologies and learn how to apply them immediately to your day-to-day operations.
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.
Faculty
Panos N. Patatoukas
Professor, L.H. Penney Chair in Accounting | Co-Faculty Director, Sustainable and Impact Finance, Haas School of Business
Homa Bahrami
Senior Lecturer, Executive Teaching Fellow, Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management of Organizations, Haas School of Business
Sara Beckman
Teaching Professor | Earl F. Cheit Faculty Fellow Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Innovation & Design | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability, Haas School of Business
Jenny Herbert Creek
Professional Faculty | Finance, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Jeffrey Eyet
Professional Faculty | Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Institute for Business Innovation
Darcy E. Illg
Professional Faculty | Management of Organizations | Persuasive Communication & Interpersonal Dynamics, UC Berkeley 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.
