A Customized Path to Leadership
John Pritchard, a seasoned professional, leads product and engineering in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity at Radiant Logic. Radiant Logic, a multi-national company with a global client base, specializes in helping enterprises identify vulnerabilities in their systems. With over three years at the company, John has played a key role in transforming their identity security solutions—crucial in a world where remote work has altered the landscape of corporate security. Radiant Logic’s product was founder-led and went private with John’s team, marking a pivotal shift in the company’s direction. But that’s not the only pivotal moment in John’s career.
His professional journey began with an MBA and a general management background. Business school didn’t teach him the fundamentals of product management—a gap he sought to fill. John pursued ways to expand his knowledge and leadership capabilities, particularly as his professional responsibilities grew. Enter UC Berkeley’s Executive Education program, where he found the perfect blend of real-world applicability and high-caliber faculty, helping him close the gaps in his evolving career. John’s experience showcases how tailored executive education can empower leaders like him to thrive across various industries and roles.
John wasn’t aiming for a career pivot or a job change when he enrolled in the program. Instead, he was experiencing a natural expansion of his responsibilities—requiring a different kind of educational experience. By the time he finished COBE, John skillfully climbed the executive management ladder and was elevated from a business unit leader to his company’s CPO.
When he began his journey with Berkeley’s Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE) program in February 2020, he found that COBE provided him with the tools to navigate his growing role. This actionable learning was a major factor in John’s ability to influence strategic decision-making as he transitioned to working with smaller companies, where he had a bigger voice and direct impact on the company’s success.
Building a Stronger Skillset for Product Management
One of John’s first touchstones and program highlights was the Product Management program, where John and his peers—many of whom were already working in similar roles—could collaborate on real-world challenges. The workshop format encouraged rich discussions and diverse perspectives, allowing participants to dive deeper into the complexities of product management.
Instead of relying on esoteric theories or projections, the course gave John hands-on experience to understand more about the methodology of taking a product to market. The well-executed curriculum exposed John to methods, and case studies on applicable proof points, and introduced him to prestigious speakers. The course elevated the various aspects of the PM process, from vision to actuality, and created a tangible roadmap for John to explore.
John was so impressed by the program’s impact that he has since enrolled some of his own product managers in the same courses, believing that the combination of functional skills and methodology equips them with a well-rounded toolkit for success.
Practical Learning, Immediate Impact
One of the most valuable aspects of the COBE program, John found, was its practicality. The program wasn’t bogged down in theory. Instead, it focused on real-world applications, ensuring that everything he learned could be applied directly to his role. For John, this was particularly useful when it came to understanding the financial metrics that are critical in venture capital-backed startups.
The Financial Data Analysis for Leaders course was a turning point, as it allowed him to better understand critical financial concepts that were crucial in his new role at a privately held company. These insights became key as he worked closely with the company’s CFO and learned to speak the financial language that drives business strategy.
One of the most impactful lessons came from the negotiation segment, which opened his eyes to the value he could be leaving on the table with compromise. As an experienced negotiator, he felt this course added even more value to his skillset through its no-nonsense approach to negotiating. Instead of looking at the process as a burden, the course reminded him that no matter the situation, there is room for shared opportunities and growth - a business sense that has only elevated his negotiating tactics.
Another standout experience came from a Pixar storytelling segment during the Product Management Program, where John learned how to structure his pitches and presentations around a hero’s journey—a craft that has become a cornerstone of his communication style.
A Program That Delivered Results, and Connections
While John has completed several post-grad education programs throughout his career, the connections he made at Berkeley have endured. Despite the program's week-long timeframes, their intensive nature allowed for meaningful networking—John remains in close contact with many of his classmates, especially from the Product Management program. The in-person format encouraged the cross-pollination of ideas, leading to lasting professional relationships that continue to provide value through skill-sharing and collaboration.
In addition, The Berkeley Executive Leadership Program connected John with senior-level peers from various industries, offering him new insights into how different companies and roles operate. These discussions broadened his understanding of challenges and similarities across sectors, enhancing his leadership approach at Radiant Logic.
For John, the COBE program was the perfect blend of academic theory and industry application. The high caliber of the faculty and industry speakers provided invaluable insights, while the hands-on, practical exercises allowed him to immediately apply what he learned to his career.
Looking back, John credits Berkeley’s Executive Education program for accelerating his growth to become a Chief Product Officer. The program’s flexibility and relevance at every stage of his career made it an invaluable resource, empowering him to take on new challenges with confidence and a broadened perspective.
Explore Berkeley Executive Education programs today to see how they can elevate your career and empower you with practical skills for immediate success.
Author: Shoshanna Howard
