Program Overview

How can communities best address the vexing challenges of our times? These challenges include environmental degradation, income disparity, poverty, sustainability and education design to name just a few. These ’wicked’ problems are complex and interconnected and require solutions that address their complexity. This program will offer participants opportunities to meet innovators and social entrepreneurs from around the world who have found effective solutions to these challenges.

The Global Executive Seminar program offers a comprehensive exploration of various social innovation and social entrepreneurship models and provides a platform for experiential learning and knowledge exchange.

The program includes specific country-focused experiences as well as virtual instruction, meetings, and personalized consulting via Zoom in between site visits. Preparation for international travel will be discussed in the online sessions (travel logistics, visas, immunizations, currencies, travel clothing, weather, accommodations, etc.).

San Diego, CA - January 11–13, 2027

We’ll start the program in San Diego, with an opening dinner on Sunday, January 10th. Then, you will spend 3 days delving into various concepts such as B Corp-certified organizations, employee ownership, impact investment, microfinance institutions, and nonprofits with commercial revenue streams. Daily activities include site visits and guest speakers, providing real-world examples and insights.

Online Sessions - February, March, May & June 2027

In each of these non-travel months, you will attend a 90-minute Zoom session. The online sessions include guest speakers, group discussions, meetings with leaders and faculty, coaching and reflection, and discussions of travel logistics.

Barcelona & Mondragon, Spain - April 11–17, 2027

In Barcelona and Mondragon, you’ll engage with faculty-in-residence Dr. Fred Freundlich and Dr. Daniel Arenas, focusing on B Corp-certified organizations and the world’s premier co-op organizations.

Kigali & Musanze, Rwanda - July 25–30, 2027

In Kigali, Rwanda, you will meet key leaders in government, multinational companies, foundations, entrepreneurship hubs, and worker-owned companies. We’ll explore worker ownership, microfinance, impact investing, and nonprofit social enterprises with commercial revenue streams.

Consulting Sessions - August & September 2027 TBD

The two months between Rwanda and the final sessions in San Diego will be devoted to personalized consultations with GES faculty, which include both USD faculty and all the key executives met during site visits, to finalize your Personal Action Plan and presentation.

San Diego, California - October 15–16, 2027

The program finishes in San Diego with synthesis sessions and additional guest speakers. At the conclusion of the seminar, you will present your Personal Action Plans to your peers, faculty consultants, and invited guests, who will offer their suggestions and assistance for your project.

In a closing ceremony with cocktails and dinner at the USD President’s home, participants will be presented with their Executive Education Certificate and digital badge and be recognized as USD Global Executive Fellows who will become official members of the USD community with access to a range of university events and networking opportunities.

Extending your trip with guests

We welcome participants to invite a guest to join them in traveling to any or all of the locations the seminar visits, and to extend travel in these regions (for example, to see the rare mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park outside Musanze, Rwanda, or to continue explorations of Spain). For a minimal fee, guests may attend opening and closing dinners and cocktail parties. Please discuss with GES staff.

Learning from what works

But how do you know which 'business for good' approaches will work for your organization? Can the capitalist system — powered by individualism, ambition, and a competitive spirit — evolve to be more humane and conscious of social problems? What paradigms need to change in the business world and society to make the market system a pillar for lasting positive peace in the world?

Several regions across the globe have organizations that are leading the charge on business for good, serving as marquee examples for a reimagined way of doing business. The University of San Diego has created the new Global Executive Seminar to act as a bridge to viable solutions, empowering business leaders to become better caretakers of people and our planet.

What you'll learn

By the end of the seminar, you will:

• Experience a one-of-a-kind, on-location learning experience with high-performing sustainable organizations in Spain, Rwanda, and the greater San Diego region.
• Learn in depth about various business models that blance economic success with social and enviornmental impact, along with an understanding of relevant legal and regulatory frameworks and the metrics used to measure sustainability performance.
• Gain insights into impact investing and the principles, strategies, and approaches that can generate both finanacial returns and positive social and environmental outcomes.
• Become part of a global network of like-minded professionals with whom you can collaborate, share knowledge, and potentially form partnerships.
• Grow your impact to the next level by becoming a real catalyst for change.