Faculty at the Center for Social Sector Leadership are active professionals and leaders in the social sector field.
All courses are cross-listed between the full-time and part-time MBA programs. In addition, space permitting, Cal graduate students in other schools can enroll in these courses during the add/drop period of each semester.
Learn more about our Fall 2025 classes here!
If you would like to learn more about the courses that CSSL is offering in Fall 2025, watch the recording from our info session where we cover all of the courses we are offering for Fall 2025! Hear from 2nd year MBAs about their experiences in our courses.
Fall 2025 Courses
The Conflict Lab is an experiential course aimed at empowering students to navigate difficult conversations in the workplace based on role playing real world examples of workplace conflict. The course was featured in the WSJ and London Times.
Professors:
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- Francesca LeBaron: Public Mediator, Inclusive Leadership Team
- Bree Jenkins: Senior Leadership Development Associate, Pixar
Course #: EW/MBA 292T (2 units)
This weekend course is for students interested in meeting other innovators and getting hands-on experience developing a new venture concept. The course pedagogy is based on the Startup Discovery Method, including Purpose-Driven Design, Lean Start-up Method, and other Entrepreneurship Tools.
Professor:
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- Jorge Calderon: Managing Director for Impact Investments at Hispanics in Philanthropy
Course #: MBA/EWMBA 292-1 (1 unit)
This course prepares students to work more effectively with nonprofit boards through understanding legal and fiduciary responsibilities, differences between for-profit and nonprofit boards, and key responsibilities of nonprofit board members.
Professor:
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- Lynne LaMarca Heinrich: Leading consultant with nonprofit organizations
Course #: EW/MBA 292B 1 (1 unit)
Spring 2026 Courses
This course provides a practical framework for understanding and creating a more sustainable and inclusive form of capitalism. Students will explore how changes in attitudes, metrics, and ownership structures can reshape how capitalism works. We will hear from inspiring leaders who are shaping current debates about the merits and tradeoffs of potential solutions to environmental degradation, wealth inequality, and political polarization.
Professor:
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- Gloria Lee: Serial education entrepreneur
Course #: MBA 292T (3 units)
This course provides an overview of nonprofit board governance, covering board roles, responsibilities, structures, and performance, while also exploring how effective boards drive organizational impact.
Professor:
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- Paul Jansen: Founder of McKinsey Social Impact Practice
Course #: EW/MBA 292B (1 unit)
This experiential course empowers students to navigate difficult conversations in the workplace, based on role playing real-world examples of workplace conflict. As organizations are becoming increasingly diverse and interconnected, these skills are becoming an essential part of the management toolkit.
Professor:
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- Francesca LeBaron: Public Mediator, Inclusive Leadership Team
Course #: MBA 292T (2 units)
This course focuses on the core financial management issues faced by board members and executive managers in nonprofit organizations. An effective leader must be able to analyze and act upon financial information as part of an overall approach to strategic decision making.
Professor:
- Brent Copen: CFO at Lifelong Medical Care
Course #: EW/MBA 292F (1 unit)