My teaching philosophy centers on creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students to lead with confidence and purpose. Today, my teaching spans MBA students, PhD students, and executives through custom executive courses.
Two quotes capture my approach to teaching and inspire me every day. They remind me of the lasting impact a teacher can have and the deeper meaning of education.
A good teacher’s influence extends far beyond the classroom. I believe that teaching is not just about delivering content but about building lasting relationships and inspiring curiosity that continues long after formal lessons end. My goal is to be a lifelong mentor and guide, helping students develop the skills, confidence, and mindset to keep learning and growing, wherever life takes them.
This quote encompasses my teaching approach. For me, education is about nurturing critical thinking, resilience, and a love of discovery—qualities that extend beyond facts and formulas and equip students with habits of mind that will serve them for life.
Core MBA course at Haas School of Business | Taught since 2015
Financial accounting is concerned with the preparation and dissemination of financial reports designed to reflect corporate performance and financial condition. By providing timely, relevant, and reliable information, these reports facilitate the decision-making of investors, creditors, and other stakeholders. Financial markets depend on the information contained in these reports to evaluate executives, estimate future stock returns, assess firms’ riskiness, and allocate society’s resources to their most productive uses.
The course’s main objectives are:
By the end of the course, students are able to understand where the numbers in financial statements come from and adjust them as necessary to suit decision-making needs. The course requires no prior knowledge of accounting and is designed for the novice and enthusiast alike.
Elective MBA course at Haas School of Business | Taught since 2026
AI Entrepreneurship is a 13-week course at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business designed for aspiring founders ready to build and launch AI-driven startups. Modeled after the Y Combinator experience, it combines expert mentorship, weekly guest speakers, and a rigorous build-and-pitch framework — culminating in a live Demo Day in front of investors and industry leaders.
Co-taught by Alex Zekoff — Co-Founder & CEO and former CEO of Thoughtful AI — the course bridges academic rigor with the realities of building a company from scratch.
The course’s main objectives are:
By the end of the course, students will have launched a real AI product and developed the founder toolkit to take their startup beyond the classroom. No prior startup experience required — only the drive to build.
MBA course Haas School of Business | Taught since 2017
Extreme Leadership is a one-of-a-kind course at Berkeley Haas, designed to push students beyond their comfort zones and develop authentic, adaptable leadership skills in some of the world’s most challenging environments. The journey began in 2016, when a group of students, led by Alex Zekoff, who later became a successful entrepreneur, organized a trek to Antarctica that proved so transformative we turned it into a for-credit course the following year. Since 2019, Extreme Leadership has combined classroom learning with an immersive, hands-on expedition—offering students the chance to either attempt a summit of Cerro El Plomo (17,800 ft) in the Andes, a physically demanding mountaineering experience, or embark on a multi-day backpacking adventure through the wilds of Patagonia, open to all experience levels. Each trek is more than a physical test; it’s a laboratory for building resilience, practicing ethical decision-making, and learning to lead with empathy and integrity. As part of CSSL’s mission, Extreme Leadership empowers students to become leaders who drive positive change—on campus and far beyond.
Students lead real teams in unpredictable, high-stakes settings, learning to navigate uncertainty, make tough decisions, and support one another.
Choose between high-altitude mountaineering in the Andes or backcountry trekking in Patagonia, each with its own physical and mental challenges.
The course is about more than outdoor skills-it’s about discovering your leadership style, building resilience, and learning to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose.
Students consistently describe this course as transformative. You’ll build confidence, learn to lead under pressure, and forge deep bonds with your classmates-all while experiencing some of the planet’s most breathtaking landscapes.
PHD course Haas School of Business | Taught since 2015
This course covers empirical research in accounting and finance, primarily pertaining to capital markets.
Throughout the course, students will read and present recent academic papers, collaborate on replicating empirical analyses, and develop their own research proposals. They will gain hands-on experience working with major financial databases, sharpen their empirical skills, and build a strong research toolkit. This seminar is designed to prepare students for dissertation work and help them master the latest methods in accounting research, offering a dynamic blend of theory, data, and real-world application.
The course’s main objectives are:
7-month blended program | Executives with 10+ years of experience
The Berkeley CFO Program from UC Berkeley Executive Education is a seven-month program designed to help financial leaders evolve from financial stewards into strategic growth architects and trusted CEO advisors. The curriculum is structured in four online modules covering leadership presence, operational finance, strategic growth, and technology/change management — culminating in a two-day in-person immersion at the UC Berkeley campus.
Faculty includes Berkeley Haas professors and industry experts. The program equips CFOs to lead across five core areas: financial strategy, risk management, AI & technology adoption, capital allocation & M&A, and executive leadership — all aimed at driving long-term organizational growth and sustainable success.
AI is reshaping the CFO role — and this program puts you ahead of the curve. You’ll learn to harness machine learning, data-driven insights, and AI frameworks to make smarter decisions, scale innovation across your organization, and lead the future of finance with both intelligence and purpose.
Company Workshop
Today’s finance leaders must be trusted advisors—they must drive business strategy, inspire confidence, and embrace new technologies to deliver results. The demands on finance have changed: success now means blending business acumen, leadership, and digital fluency.
Built on a proven framework and fully tailored to your organization’s unique needs, our workshop uses real-world case studies and interactive modules. Your team will gain the mindset and practical tools to become trusted advisors, strategic decision-makers, and champions of digital transformation.
In this interactive 2-day workshop, aspiring CFOs and finance professionals will gain the skills to become recognized, trusted leaders in their organizations.
Ready to elevate your finance team? Contact me to learn more about bringing this workshop to your organization.
