OfficeNinjas x UC Berkeley Haas School of Business: High Impact Leadership Program
The executive administrative (EA) function has transformed from a supporting role to that of a strategic partner.
Today’s executives lean on their assistants not just for admin help — but for counsel, technical expertise, critical analysis, and internal communications.
To be in lockstep with their executives in the new business landscape, administrative professionals must learn executive-level leadership skills.
Through an exclusive partnership with UC Berkeley Executive Education, OfficeNinjas created the OfficeNinjas x UC Berkeley Administrative Leadership & Communication Program in 2019.
The only executive-level leadership and communication program of its kind for the administrative and operations professions
Participants learn the very same leadership and communication skill training taught to top executives
5-week program provides two days of intensive training by UC Berkeley faculty, and four cohort events to prepare for program success
Instruction by world-renowned faculty and executive coaches from UC Berkeley Haas Executive Education, with a 6:1 participant-faculty ratio
Education informed by the latest academic research in organizational management, with key insights from thousands of executives and administrative leaders
Program delivered as either a classroom or virtual experience
Helped broker partnership with UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Led end-to-end development of course programming
Partnered with UC Berkeley Haas faculty
Co-led product launch
Developed application process and onboarding experience
Programmed, scripted, and facilitated virtual live sessions
Led course workbook design and production
Produced sales enablement and marketing content
program info guide
case studies
partner marketing materials
alumni Q+A sessions
email campaigns
social media promotion
Oversaw testing, surveying, and program iteration
Created program SOP
150+ administrative and operations leaders across all business sectors have completed the program since 2020
Participants rate it an unprecedented NPS score of 91 (Keep scrolling for testimonials!)
76% of participant organizations report increased collaboration between executive and administrative/ops teams
Companies who’ve taken advantage of this one-of-a-kind program:
Google, Airtable, Salesforce, Linkedin, Udemy, Paypal, Capital One, Superhuman, Peloton, Stanford University, Booz Allen Hamilton, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Co., Aquent, and many more
As the the ‘right-hand’ to my CEO, I am expected to provide high-level strategic counsel and find new ways to help move the business forward. I currently feel a bit stagnant in this area, so a goal I have for myself is to find a way to move past this feeling and learn new, innovative ways to think strategically, hone my ability to help my executives overcome obstacles, and provide measurable efficiencies that impact the company’s bottom line.
The difference in the OfficeNinjas and UC Berkeley leadership program is that it wasn’t about ‘technical skills,’ rather more about the ‘soft skills’ of leadership and communication. It helped me better understand what it really means to be in the ‘coach’ mindset, providing a discussion framework I will be able to use in these moments.
In fact, some of the new communication tools have already helped me level up in an important conversation with our VP of HR regarding upcoming organizational changes.
This was my first program with OfficeNinjas and UC Berkeley, and the experience exceeded my expectations. I 100% believe the value from the program was worth the investment. I am anxiously awaiting the opportunity to sign up for the next one.
— Jackie Smith, Executive Assistant to CEO, Spring, TX
I am on my second promotion in less than 18 months since attending the OfficeNinjas Leadership Program. Putting a little skin in the game has had a significant payoff for me. It IS worth it!
— Angela Schauf, Executive Assistant & Business Partner, Seattle, WA
Kristin gives an incoming cohort an overview of the program experience during a live kickoff event.
Fun Fact: Kristin has facilitated and hosted 50+ in-person and virtual events!
My company covered the cost of the program — but it was more than worth it for the skills I was able to walk away with. Out of every program or session I’ve taken professionally, this one blew all of them out of the water. I took away more from two days of learning than most conferences cover in a week.
It was also more dynamic and interactive, even for being virtual. I didn’t feel like there was any disadvantage to attending remotely.
The cost can seem like a lot, but it was certainly much easier to sell my company on covering the costs of a professional development program associated with the prestige of UC Berkeley, and it is, of course, a great resume builder for me.
— Stephanie Young, Corporate Development Coordinator, Charlotte, NC
It’s clear that the program agenda is meant to dig deep, get to the heart of communication in leadership, and really teach us the skills we need to utilize in the workplace. It wasn’t just talking — it was DOING!
Attending this program was so different from any other professional development course I’ve ever attended. The UC Berkeley faculty gives honest feedback about your work during the class, on top of popping into breakout rooms to offer a hand when needed. Each professor brought something special to the table, and that really moved me.
I felt honored that I was able to participate in a course taught to executives across the globe and felt successful at it with the encouragement of our professors.
— Jessica Jones, Sr Executive Assistant to Senior VP, Herndon, VA
From the exercises to the content to the faculty, I knew I was getting a top-notch education — with skills that I can apply to not only my professional life but also my personal life.
What an incredible experience. I was surprised to find a program that was tailored to my career as an Executive Assistant, let alone one that encouraged me to ‘think like an executive.’ Luckily, OfficeNinjas and UC Berkeley have come together to curate and execute such a world-class offering.
Being in a virtual ‘room’ full of like-minded, high-performing Admin+ professionals confirmed that this career is important and pivotal in any industry.
— Stacy Wall, Executive Assistant, San Francisco, CA