Alex Budak

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 and make better decisions under uncertainty. In this highly interactive presentation, Budak helps audiences develop their “Change Fitness,” bolstering the core strength to thrive, lead in dynamic environments and mentally pivot at the speed of change. Just as one would go to the gym to strengthen their body, attendees will exercise their mental agility and cognitive 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. With Budak’s FLEX framework, leaders and teams will leave with an enhanced ability to turn cognitive flexibility into a competitive advantage thanks to a newly activated mindset for navigating and thriving in today’s complex, rapidly changing business landscape.

Economic shocks, political uncertainty, deepening polarization, ethical landmines and eroding public trust have created an environment where even routine decisions carry real risk. For leaders, making such decisions in fraught times takes courage. According to UC Berkeley faculty member and best-selling author Alex Budak, true courage isn’t just about heroic grand gestures, it’s about the small, practical and applicable everyday choices we make. In this memorable keynote, Budak reframes courage as a habit that anyone can cultivate in all aspects of life. Attendees will uncover the six distinct types of everyday courage – encompassing moral, creative and social realms – and learn how to leverage them to lead a more meaningful and impactful life. Drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience and inspirational, relatable real-world stories, Budak explores how courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to face it with confidence and foster a mindset of growth and resilience. Audiences will learn practical tools for embracing courageous actions in daily decisions, from speaking up in tough situations to embracing vulnerability. Leaders leave with actionable strategies to apply courage in ways that don’t just shape decisions, but will signal to their team that truth matters, risks are welcome and doing the right thing is expected.

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.

AI’s impact is now reaching far beyond the business world. In fact, according to UC Berkeley faculty member and bestselling author Alex Budak, AI isn’t just transforming industries, it’s fundamentally reshaping society and redefining our roles within it. In this fascinating presentation, Budak explores the profound shifts AI is bringing to our workplaces, communities and personal lives. He reveals specific ways AI is reshaping critical areas such as education, healthcare and community engagement, and highlights both the exciting opportunities and significant challenges that are arising due to AI’s rapid evolution and adoption. Budak outlines his “3 C” model of courage, connection, and contribution as the essential framework to help people remain deeply human, while gaining the edge needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. Audiences leave with practical strategies for effectively collaborating with AI to foster innovation, enhance decision-making and solve complex problems. Leaders will return to their organizations empowered to make responsible, inclusive and ethical decisions as AI progressively influences every aspect of our lives.