Darius Graham interviews Alex Budak, author, Becoming a Changemaker

Alex Budak is a social entrepreneur, Berkeley Haas faculty member, and author of Becoming a Changemaker.

At UC Berkeley, he created and teaches the transformative “Becoming a Changemaker” course and as faculty director for Berkeley Executive Education programs.

As a social entrepreneur, he co-founded StartSomeGood.com, ran Sweden’s largest social innovation incubator, Reach for Change, and worked at Change.org.

He consults and advises organizations with a mission to help people from all walks of life become agents of change, and has lectured in venues around the world, from Cambodia to Ukraine, as well as the White House. , UN agencies and companies like Accenture and AirBnB.

A graduate of UCLA and Georgetown University, Alex enjoys travel adventures (39+ countries), rooting for underdogs, and spending time with his two favorite changemakers: his wife, Rebecca, and their baby boy.

Darius Graham is an advocate and leader in the areas of philanthropy, social impact, innovation and entrepreneurship. Across all roles and sectors, Darius innovates within institutions, builds community bonds rooted in trust and reciprocity, and leads organizations towards growth and sustainability. As director of one of the largest private charitable foundations in the United States, Darius directs the distribution of more than $30 million in grants annually to nonprofit organizations working in housing, health, employment and education in Baltimore and beyond. Previously at Johns Hopkins University, Darius was the founding director of two university-wide innovation and entrepreneurship programs (Social Innovation Lab and the FastForward U Student Innovation Center) where he helped students, faculty and community members to turn new technologies and innovative ideas into viable businesses.

Darius is a Civil Society Fellow of the Aspen Institute and ADL and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. He is a Trustee, Chair of the Public Engagement Committee, and Co-Chair of the Research Committee of the Baltimore Museum of Art. He also serves on the steering committee of the Baltimore Young Families Success Fund (the mayor’s guaranteed income pilot program) and the Baltimore Advisory Board for My Brother’s Keeper, a collective of public and private sector leaders committed to improving outcomes for boys. and young men. of color.

Darius is an adjunct professor at Goucher College where he teaches graduate courses on social entrepreneurship and public sector innovation. He has been a speaker at SXSW, SOCAP and Startup Champions; published in The Baltimore Sun, Inside Philanthropy, and more; and received honors from Ebony, Baltimore Business Journal, and more. Darius’ work and ideas are highlighted in two books, Becoming an agent of change: a practical and inclusive guide to leading positive change at all levels and in the enterprise of change: how social entrepreneurs are disrupting the status quo. He is the author of Being the Difference: True Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the World.

Connect with Alex and Darius on LinkedIn

Interview Questions:

Q1: Many years ago, you and I were both based in DC and were founders of separate organizations that shared the mission of helping people make a positive impact in their communities. Luckily our paths crossed and I got to know you and the organization you lead. So take us back to the very beginning of StartSomeGood.com. Where did the idea come from and how did you start?

Q2: How did this experience turn into your next role in Sweden?

Q3: Whether it was StartSomeGood.com or Sweden, were there any commonalities that stood out to you about the people leading the change or the systems/issues they were trying to change?

Q4: Currently, you are on the faculty of the Haas Business School at UC Berkeley and lead a very popular course. So now you’ve gone from building and leading a startup, to directly helping other mission-driven startups, to teaching students how to make a difference. What motivated you to move into this teaching role?

Q5: Tell us about the course and what you see as its impact.

Q6: You recently published a book that builds on the course. And it’s fascinating because in addition to teaching Berkeley students, you’ll also be able to share your insights with the world through this book. How did Becoming A Changemaker come about and what do you hope people will take away from it?

Q7: I read it and there were so many things that stood out to me, but I want to ask you a few here in the time we have. Let’s talk about challenging the status quo first. In the book, you explain that this is an essential thing that changemakers do and that we have to be very careful and thoughtful. Tell more about it.

Q8: Another concept in the book that I heard you talk about is micro leadership. What inspired you this concept?

Q9: There are so many great stories in the book about real people leading change. Can you highlight one for us?

Q10: Where can people find the book or learn more about your course?