What happens when business leaders, nonprofit professionals, government officials, and entrepreneurs come together to rethink the role of business in society? That’s the question at the heart of the Kroc School’s Global Executive Seminar, a cross-continental learning safari, that explores how companies around the world are advancing social impact while remaining financially resilient.
This year, the Global Executive Seminar brought its fellows to San Diego, Spain, and soon, Rwanda, to engage directly with high-performing organizations using business as a force for good. Each stop offers a unique lens on innovation, ethics, and sustainability in practice.
Global Executive Seminar Fellows at Taylor Guitars
In January, the Executive Seminar kicked off in San Diego, where participants met with some of the region’s most successful B-Corps and social enterprises. The group went to Taylor Guitars, where they learned how sustainability and craftsmanship can go hand in hand. At the soap manufacturer Dr. Bronner’s, they explored how progressive corporate values, from fair trade to employee wellness, can be embedded into every aspect of a business. These visits provided grounded examples of what it means to operate a purpose-driven company in today’s economy.
The cohort also participated in a dynamic panel discussion featuring local B Corp leaders: Kristin Carroll, CEO of Rescue, The Behavior Change Agency, David Lynn, Founder & CEO of Mission Driven Finance, and Scott Henderson, CEO & Founder of Doing Good Works. The conversation focused on how each of these leaders built organizations committed to social impact, and how they continue to drive meaningful change as certified B Corps. Read more about the San Diego segment of the seminar here.
Global Executive Seminar Fellow Cindy Lee during the panel discussion with local B Corp Leaders
In early May, the group traveled to Barcelona, Bilbao, and Mondragón, Spain where they met with executives, social innovators, and cooperative leaders who are building businesses that center equity, shared prosperity, and long-term environmental stewardship. Site visits included:
“Spain offered our cohort a powerful glimpse into what’s possible when values like equity, sustainability, and shared ownership are built into the DNA of a business. From the cooperatives of Mondragón to the innovation hubs in Barcelona, we saw firsthand how companies can thrive financially while putting people and planet first,” said Dr. Paula Cordeiro, program founder and faculty lead for the seminar.
Global Executive Seminar in Mondragón, Spain
The Fellows come from a wide range of sectors, private industry, government, nonprofits, and social enterprises, and brought a rich variety of experiences to the cohort. Throughout the seminar, the group engaged in discussions about leadership, values, and systems thinking, returning home with concrete ideas to strengthen their organizations and reimagine what business can look like.
The Global Executive Seminar reflects the Kroc School’s mission to develop leaders who can build a more just, peaceful, and equitable world at any stage of your career. Next, they’re going to Rwanda, a country known for its resilience, innovation, and community-centered development, to learn how entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and social enterprises are building inclusive economies and creating impact in their communities. The learning safari continues—stay tuned for more.