About Alex

Everyone can be a changemaker.

I live for that magical moment when someone realizes they have far more power than they imagined to shape what comes next.

Everything I do, from teaching and writing to speaking and building, is designed to help more people reach that moment.

Core values: courage contribution possibility

A man with short, reddish-brown hair, wearing a black button-up shirt, smiling in a bright, modern office setting.

I’d love to hear from you:

Contact Me directly: alex@alexbudak.com

Literary Agent: Jeff Shreve, Curious Minds Agency: jeff@curiousmindsagency.com

Speaking Agent: Melissa Ingalsbe, Stern Strategy Group: mingalsbe@sternstrategy.com

What Drives Me

Helping people see what’s possible and their power to make it real.

Long before Becoming a Changemaker became a book, changemaking was the thread connecting my work: co-founding a social-impact platform, teaching students at UC Berkeley, advising leaders, and speaking with audiences around the world.

Along the way, I've learned that changemakers aren't defined by their titles, personalities, or positions of authority. They're regular people who see possibilities in challenges and summon the everyday courage to act.

That belief continues to guide everything I teach, write, speak, and build.

Educator

At UC Berkeley, I have faculty appointments across campus — Berkeley Haas, Berkeley Public Health, College of Natural Resources and Berkeley Executive Education — and teach my beloved changemaker courses which have even inspired student tattoos. I serve as Faculty Director for the Berkeley Changemaker Executive Education Program, and also direct the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program.

Author

My book, Becoming a Changemaker, brings an inclusive, aspirational, and accessible lens to creating change. It’s hailed by CNBC as a “top 5 non-fiction book everyone should be reading about work," and is being published in 27 languages. My work and writing have been featured in the Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, The Guardian, USA Today, and my toddler’s preschool newsletter, and I write a regular column for INC.

Speaker

I've spoken around the world from Cambodia to the Arctic Circle and at leading universities, startups, companies and organizations like Accenture, Salesforce, and UNHCR. When I speak, there's a magical moment that I live for: when someone realizes for the very first time the potential they have to create change; where they find their own agency to make a difference for themselves and for others; and when they realize they have far more power than they ever realized.

Founder

A social entrepreneur at heart, my change journey began when I co-founded StartSomeGood. The platform has helped people in over 50 countries raise millions of dollars to launch and scale new change initiatives – from climate to education to mental health. I’ve also had the privilege of supporting founders around the world — including when I lived in Sweden and served as Country Director for Reach for Change’s incubator.

Student

I received my graduate degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, and my undergraduate degree in Geography and Political Science from UCLA which also honored me with its recent alumnus of the year award. My parents were definitely more excited about this award than when I won a PE award in middle school. One of the greatest joys of teaching is the opportunity to continue learning and growing. I love the saying “one person teaches, two people learn,” and I gain new insights and perspectives from students that shape the way I think about changemaking and help evolve my teaching of it.

Human

When not changemaking, I love food adventures, challenging workouts, and exploring the world (39 countries and counting). My worst ever life decision was going budget skydiving using a coupon; my best decision is spending time every day with my favorite changemakers: my two young children.

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

-Jackie Robinson

Other Adventures

As I always remind my students, we are all far more than our resumes. Here are some of the things that make me who I am.

  • I once went skydiving using a Groupon (whoops). Even the pilot of the plane was wearing a parachute (not exactly confidence inducing). Fortunately, I lived to tell the tale (I only told my Mom about my adventure after we had landed) and I’m now here to warn you: never pay half-price for skydiving!

  • While studying at UCLA I spent most of winter quarter camping out to get prime basketball game seats (as my winter quarter GPA will attest…) and never missed a single home game.

  • My grandparents were refugees in Shanghai, China during World War II. Once while traveling in Shanghai I was able to use an old address book my Dad gave me (all in German and Chinese) and find their exact former residence. I retraced their footsteps through backstreets alleyways — an incredibly moving experience for me.

  • I believe in breakfast for dinner; iced coffee even in winter; and am constantly in search for a city’s best burrito.

  • My favorite pump-up song to listen to before teaching is “Underdog” by Alicia Keys, and I have a soft spot for 90’s music and pop-punk. Let me know if you have any recommendations to add to the changemaker playlist I play before class!