Whether you are an individual looking to grow in your current role or change careers entirely, or you are a manager looking to improve productivity and increase your team's expertise in a particular subject matter, Santa Clara University's Executive Center can be a game-changer. Our faculty and facilitators will arm you with the knowledge you need to become a leader in your industry. We offer various certificate programs and professional credentials for individuals. We also offer partner companies custom corporate learning solutions that align company teams with the latest knowledge of how business gets done in Silicon Valley.
Programs for Organizations

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Create a program to fit your organization's needs
Our faculty and executive speakers have the expertise to help you in the areas of leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, finance, data analytics, AI, digital transformation, and more.
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Experience business in Silicon Valley
We deliver programs that center around Silicon Valley-based companies. Our programs offer the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, angel investors, and venture capitalists. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of the Silicon Valley spirit.
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“Our partnership with the Silicon Valley Executive Center is extremely valuable for us, because it combines practical, technical skill with entrepreneurship in a way that is unbeatable. We truly get the spirit of Silicon Valley in the center's programs, and our students love the experience,”
DR. PETER SCHMIEDER, FACULTY DIRECTOR, DEGGENDORF INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Programs for Individuals

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Leading with Love: A Business Case for Compassion
Join us for our second iteration of the webinar series Leading with Love featuring Marilyn Gist, Jay Jakub, and Chris Lowney, where we will discuss one of the best tools in a leader's arsenal.
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Bringing authentic diversity to the boardroom
At the Silicon Valley Executive Center, we are committed to the Jesuit values of social justice and inclusion. By preparing black executives for board service and connecting them to a network in our Black Corporate Board Readiness program, we hope to increase Black representation at the top
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“Across the nation, people are screaming, crying out for social equality and to get rid of social injustice, inequality. My feeling is that business has a role to play and that it’s very important for business to act now. If business does not show leadership now, people will look for leadership elsewhere.”
BARRY LAWSON WILLIAMS, PROGRAM ADVISOR, BLACK CORPORATE BOARD READINESS
Professionals attend our programs annually
Countries worldwide
Overall satisfaction score from our customers (scale of 5)
Current offerings
Women's Corporate Board Readiness Program (WCBR)
Develop a plan to seek and obtain a board directorship position that aligns with you professional skills and values. This program pairs women with mentors who are experienced board members, and teaches the essential legal, regulatory and operating knowledge needed to be an effective board member.
- Next Session: starts May 6, 2021
- Facilitators and Mentors
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Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR)
Racial diversity starts at the top. Built off of the success of our Women's program, BCBR helps prepare black executives for board service. Our program connects those candidates to networks to increase the likelihood of placement. Join us in building a community that leads the way in social justice and better business.
- Next Session: June 3, 2021
- Facilitators, Mentors, and Advisors
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Equity Compensation Professional Designations
Our Certified Equity Professional Institute is home to two professional designations. Earning the Equity Compensation Associate (ECA) designation demonstrates knowledge of the fundamentals of equity compensation, whereas the Certified Equity Professional (CEP) can manage and design equity compensation plans.
- Next Exam: May 2021
- ECA Designation
- CEP Designation
Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team
We have partnered with bestselling author Patrick Lencioni and to launch a new online certificate course built around the first piece of Patrick Lencioni's organizational health model. This actionable approach will help you achieve long-term, sustainable success within your own work and organization.
- Available as an asynchronous online course
- Team discounts are available!
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Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency (CAAP)
Jumpstart your career in accounting. Classes can be taken on weekends over 10 months or in a condensed format over 14 weeks in the summer. From professional development workshops to recruiting events, we give you the tools to help you get a job faster.
- Next Session: June—Sept 2021
- View Schedule
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Architecting Your Startup Investment Portfolio
Deepen your working knowledge of venture investing and learn how to apply the best practices used by angel and venture capital pros to select and manage your startup investment portfolio. This program is designed for angel investors, high net-worth individuals, corporate executives, and members of family offices.
- Course Dates: TBD 2021
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Certified Financial Planner Program (CFP)
We offer both Self-Paced and Virtual Classroom courses that fulfill the education requirement to sit for the CPF Exam to obtain your certification. All faculty members in the program hold either CFP® certification or a relevant professional designation or license.
Custom Program Partnerships
We work closely with our corporate and university partners to build programs that address their specific needs. We help these organizations develop more effective senior leaders, stronger teams, and more powerful management practices. Programs can take place online or at Santa Clara University.
- Contact Us: svec@scu.edu
- Faculty and Practitioners
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News & Events

First Cohort of Black Corporate Board Readiness Professionals Convenes at Santa Clara University
Seasoned executives from the realms of high tech, entertainment, fashion, finance, professional sports and more have joined the inaugural cohort of Santa Clara University’s new Black Corporate Board Readiness program.

New Program at SCU’s Silicon Valley Executive Center Prepares Black Executives for Board Leadership
When Gov. Newsom signed AB979 into law on September 30, he opened the door to meaningfully increasing the contribution of leaders from underrepresented professionals of color to the boards of California’s 662 publicly traded companies.

Janice Charley: Setting the Compass
Janice Charley had already had some board experience prior to enrolling in the inaugural session of the Silicon Valley Executive Center’s Women’s Corporate Board Readiness (WCBR) program. She had been appointed as a chairman of the board of a company after serving as their consulting CFO for 3 years.