Videos
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You don't have to be a CEO to be a leader | Alex Budak | TEDxKI -
Dean's Speaker Series | Becoming a Changemaker
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Becoming a Changemaker with Alex Budak & May Samali
Learn More About Alex Budak
Alex Budak is an educator, entrepreneur and author who helps people cultivate courage, spark change and make an impact wherever they go.
An award-winning faculty member at UC Berkeley, Budak holds a triple appointment at the Haas School of Business, School of Public Health and College of Natural Resources. His impact-focused courses teach students to think, act, and lead differently—and have even inspired student tattoos.
Named a top 5 non-fiction book about work by CNBC, “Becoming a Changemaker” (Balance, September 2022) is being translated into 26 languages.
Budak began his hands-on, community-driven change work as co-founder of StartSomeGood, which has raised millions of dollars to help launch and scale new change efforts in over 50 countries.
A UCLA and Georgetown graduate, he has spoken on leadership, change and meaning around the world, from Ukraine to Cambodia. Budak regularly leads workshops and keynotes for organizations like Accenture, Salesforce, The World Bank and UNHCR.
Alex Budak is available to advise your organization via virtual and in-person consulting meetings, interactive workshops and customized keynotes through the exclusive representation of Stern Speakers & Advisors, a division of Stern Strategy Group®.
Becoming a Changemaker
If the word “leader” didn’t exist, what word should be used instead? For UC Berkeley faculty member and best-selling author Alex Budak, the future of leadership means each of us becoming a changemaker. In this actionable and inspiring presentation, Budak draws from his critically acclaimed book “Becoming a Changemaker,” as well as his highly regarded TEDx Talk on microleadership, “You Don’t Have to Be a CEO to Be a Leader,” to show that anyone can lead change from wherever they are. He presents research-backed steps to help individuals, teams and organizations lead with courage, purpose and impact. Budak covers how to question the status quo in ways that actually work; how to lead change through influence, not just authority; and how to inspire others with your vision, no matter your title. Audiences will learn the five influence superpowers and how to put each one into practice right away; how to lead with vision, even if you aren’t a CEO or senior leader; and the secrets of leading change from where you are.
Developing Change Fitness: Resilience and Innovation in Times of Uncertainty
There are countless strategies for change management. But, according to UC Berkeley faculty member and best-selling author Alex Budak, they are rendered ineffective if leaders and their teams aren’t prepared to face change themselves. In this highly interactive presentation, Budak helps audiences develop their “Change Fitness,” bolstering the core strength to adapt quickly, thrive and lead in dynamic environments. Just as one would go to the gym to strengthen their body, attendees will exercise their mental agility and flexibility. Drawing from cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience and organizational behavior, Budak reveals tactics for activating “Possibility Intelligence” – the ability to see opportunities within challenges, transforming potential threats into avenues for growth and innovation. Attendees will gain practical techniques to build resilience, cultivate grounded presence and excel at seeing opportunity in change. Leaders and teams will leave with an enhanced ability to navigate and thrive in today’s evolving business landscape.
From Ideas to Impact: Lessons From Social Entrepreneurship for Lasting Change
Social entrepreneurship isn’t just for grassroots movements. According to UC Berkeley faculty member and best-selling author Alex Budak, traditional corporate environments can be the perfect surrounding for sparking positive change that evolves and endures over time. In this engaging session, Budak provides real-world examples – including his own work co-founding social entrepreneurship incubator StartSomeGood – to teach audiences how social innovators leverage entrepreneurial methods to create scalable, sustainable change. He illustrates how to address root causes and leverage partnerships to create shifts that permeate entire systems rather than just isolated solutions. Attendees will gain insight into the power of innovation and adaptability, with encouragement to think like changemakers who turn big ideas into tangible, lasting results. Audiences leave with adaptable frameworks that can grow over time to maintain impact regardless of organizational size or location.
Becoming a Changemaker: Transform Your Career, Your Community, and the World
(Balance, September 2022)
Alex Budak often offers complimentary consulting sessions as a part of his keynote speaking package. These sessions are customizable and could include:
- Personalized Post-Keynote Executive Coaching – Budak delivers six 30-minute virtual sessions to coach workers at all levels, from the C-suite to the front lines, on the essential skills and tools to effect change. This highly interactive series uses Budak’s Changemaker Canvas as a springboard for learning how to turn ideas into action and inspire teams to become changemakers.
- Small Group Advisory on Building “Change Fitness” – Budak facilitates intimate, high-trust conversations with leadership teams to build “change fitness,” or the individual and collective mindsets needed to thrive amid uncertainty. Through practical frameworks, behavior-focused tools and real-world case studies, he helps participants navigate resistance, secure buy-in and lead change with greater confidence and clarity. This session is especially valuable for organizations seeking to shift culture without defaulting to top-down mandates or one-size-fits-all change management programs.
- Partnering to Create Custom Digital Learning Experiences – Budak can co-develop tailored micro-learning content to bring his Changemaker methodology to life across larger teams. Using engaging video modules, guided worksheets and LMS interactive exercises, he helps translate mindset-shifting ideas into scalable training tools. These practical resources are designed to activate changemaker identity, expand influence and build lasting courage in every corner of an organization, long after the keynote ends.
