UC Berkeley Faculty, Speaker, & Author of Becoming a Changemaker
Hey there! I’m Alex. Come as you are. Lead with heart. Let’s develop your everyday courage to turn uncertainty into impact.
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Official Bio
Alex Budak is an educator, entrepreneur, speaker, and author who helps people cultivate courage and turn everyday moments into change.
An award-winning UC Berkeley faculty member, he holds a triple appointment at the Haas School of Business, School of Public Health, and College of Natural Resources, where his courses teach students and executives to lead with character, connection, and contribution—and have even inspired student tattoos.
His book, Becoming a Changemaker, is being translated into 27 languages. CNBC named it a top-five nonfiction book about work.
Budak’s change journey began when he co-founded StartSomeGood, which has raised more than $12 million to launch and scale new initiatives in more than 50 countries.
A UCLA and Georgetown graduate, he delivers keynotes on leadership, change, and courage to audiences worldwide, from Ukraine to Cambodia, and regularly leads interactive sessions for organizations such as Accenture, Salesforce, the World Bank, and UNHCR.
Formerly a travel writer, Alex now enjoys the everyday adventures of life with his two young kids—his favorite changemakers. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, he brings the same loyalty to his work, though he admits one lesson came the hard way: never go budget skydiving.
Let’s Create Change Together
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Speaking
Experience impactful, research-driven talks that inspire change and leadership at all levels. Alex offers practical tools and strategies you can start using right away to create lasting impact in your organization.
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Writing
Discover fresh insights to transform your life, career, and community. This inclusive guide will help you find your voice, overcome obstacles, and become a leader of change—no matter where you are.
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Teaching
From Berkeley Haas to Public Health and Executive Education, Alex teaches students and executives how to turn ideas into action. Learn how to create meaningful change and become a leader, no matter your background.
Speaking & Podcast Interviews
Recent Speaking Events
Salesforce / Lyft / Intuit / Sony / Rakuten / UNHCR / World Bank / Accenture / MIT / Georgetown / Culture Summit / Morning Brew
Podcast Interviews
Hello Monday / Greg McKeown / Curious Minds at Work / Lead from the Heart / The Unlock Moment / Full playlist (50+) here
Have a Speaking Opportunity or Podcast in mind?
Alex is passionate about and regularly speaks on the topics of leadership, change, impact, purpose, social entrepreneurship and:
Becoming a Changemaker
Lead the Change You Want
How AI is Changing the World…And Us
Courage on Call: Small Acts, Big Leadership
Think Flexibly, Lead Decisively
Recent Updates
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“There’s no one better than Alex to teach people how to become a transformational leader.”
-Aaron Levie / CEO, Box
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“Professor Budak’s course was life changing. It helped me find my voice and transformed who I am as a person and a leader."
Alicia Wilson / Olympic Athlete, Great Britain & UC Berkeley ‘23
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"Alex's talk garnered some of the brightest engagement and attendance we have ever seen!"
Sarika Saksena / Inclusion & Diversity, Accenture
Contact
I’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s a speaking opportunity, media inquiry, or just sharing ideas, let’s connect and see how we can create something impactful together.
