Chief Executive Officer Program
Early Registration Benefit: Invalid liquid data
Invalid liquid data
Program Overview: Chief Executive Officer Program
The Chief Executive Officer Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education prepares you to step into the CEO role with clarity, confidence, and strategic control. Designed for C-suite leaders and senior executives, the program helps you convert volatility, disruption, and complexity into drivers of long-term growth and organizational resilience. You will learn how to identify and seize emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving business environment and formulate strategies for sustainable growth. The program also helps you view organizations holistically by connecting strategy, culture, digital enablement, and financial performance to lead transformation across the enterprise.
Over eight to 10 months, this program strengthens your strategic leadership, sharpens your decision making, provides a global perspective shaped by macroeconomics, and builds your ability to leverage data and technology to create enduring enterprise value. You will explore the realities of leading modern organizations, from board governance and capital allocation to innovation, AI strategy, organizational culture, and enterprise growth. Dedicated AI-focused sessions equip you to define and scale an enterprise-wide AI strategy, unlock value through emerging technologies, including agentic AI, and build an AI-ready workforce with the skills, governance, and operating models required for sustainable impact.
What You Will Learn
The Chief Executive Officer Program will enable you to:
Evaluate macroeconomic shifts, geopolitical dynamics, industry disruption, and emerging market opportunities to identify new avenues for growth
Strengthen enterprise-wide decision-making by understanding the strategic role of finance and aligning commercial priorities with customer needs
Develop an enterprise-wide approach to AI, analytics, and technology innovation to enhance decision-making, accelerate growth, and strengthen competitive positioning
Navigate the CEO–board relationship with confidence by understanding fiduciary responsibilities and the composition of high-performing boards
Cultivate an innovation-driven culture, strengthen negotiation and influence skills, and align stakeholders to lead organizations through global complexity
Business Strategy for CEOs in an AI World
AI Strategy, Integration, and Enterprise-Scale Transformation
Explore how CEOs can shape and scale an enterprise-wide AI strategy that drives measurable business outcomes by integrating AI across functions and aligning initiatives with corporate priorities.
Agentic AI and High-Value Business Applications
Learn how agentic AI can unlock new forms of automation, decision support, and business model innovation while helping CEOs identify high-value use cases and governance guardrails.
AI-Driven Workforce Strategy: Skills, Roles, and Interventions
Understand how CEOs can build an AI-ready workforce through targeted skills development, redesigned roles, and human–AI operating models that accelerate adoption.
Program Curriculum
Core Modules: Online | 24 Weeks
Strategy: Your Company in the Wider World
Unravel how external influences shape organizational direction and foster competitiveness, while gaining exposure to the complexities and potential of global business environments.
Module topics:
Macro-Economics for Executives: Good Times and Bad
Strategy in an Ever-Changing World
Mergers and Acquisitions: From Competition to Co-Optation
Corporate Sustainability: Shareholders vs. Stakeholders
Environment, Society, and Governance: Non-Market Forces
A World View: Learning from Everywhere
Organization: Inside Your Company
Delve into the internal workings of an organization, unraveling intricate relationships and roles that shape company dynamics and drive operational efficiency.
Module topics:
The CEO’s Boss: The Role of a Board
The CEO's Boss: Board Committees
The CFO's Voice: Your #1 Strategic Partner
Marketing: Value Innovation
Marketing: Customer Experience Management
Innovation from Below
Data and Technology: The Leading Edge of Innovation
Understand the transformative impact of data and technology on businesses and explore strategies for leveraging innovation for competitive advantage.
Module topics:
Business Analytics
Frontiers of Innovation
Segmentation and Targeting in a Data-Driven World
Technology Strategy
Frontiers of Innovation: Privacy-Preserving AI
Creative Combination: The Insight Matrix
Leadership: You and Your People
Examine the impact of leadership on team dynamics, workplace culture, and organizational effectiveness while evolving your personal leadership style.
Module topics:
The Future of Work
Alignment: Bridging Strategy and Performance
DEI, Ethics, and Leading with Integrity
The Negotiator's Toolkit: Essentials for Claiming Value
Beyond Zero-Sum: Creating Value and Win-Win Outcomes
The Executive Mind: Managing Yourself
Note: Session topics are subject to change.
Live Online Series | One to Two Weeks
Introducing live online AI sessions designed to help CEOs lead enterprise-wide transformation with clarity and confidence in an era of rapid technological advancement. Through a practical, strategy-first lens, you will examine how to align AI initiatives with corporate priorities, translate emerging capabilities into measurable business value, and embed governance guardrails that support responsible adoption at scale. These sessions emphasize how to:
Shape and scale an enterprise-wide AI strategy integrated across functions
Identify and prioritize high-value AI use cases, including agentic and decision-support applications
Build an AI-ready organization through targeted skills development, redesigned roles, and Human–AI operating models
By connecting strategy, technology, and talent, these live sessions equip you to move beyond experimentation and lead AI transformation as a sustained source of competitive advantage.
Note: Live online series topics are subject to change.
Open-Enrollment Elective: In Person | Three, Four, or Five Days
Select one in-person program from relevant specializations that are designed to help you lead growth and drive change in a dynamic business environment.
Participants can work with their success coach to identify the best fit for them based on their goals. Below is a sample of electives:
M&A and Corporate Strategy
Strategy and Leadership in the Future of Work
Mastering Executive Communication: Empower Your Leadership Voice
The Strategic Leader Program: How to Excel as Your Responsibility Increases
Finance and Accounting for the Nonfinancial Executive
Note: Elective selection typically occurs approximately one month after the program begins. While Columbia Business School Executive Education will attempt to accommodate participant preference selections, we cannot guarantee that all preferences will be granted due to the high demand for our open-enrollment programs. Electives are subject to change. The list above is illustrative and does not represent all available elective options.
On-Campus Networking Event | Two Days
Meet your cohort peers and faculty in person on the Columbia Business School campus in New York City during an optional two-day networking event. This event provides you with an opportunity to network with your peers as well as professionals from other cohorts to create a lifelong community of global executives.
Note: Session topics and networking event duration are subject to change.
Capstone Project
The capstone project is multifaceted and encapsulates key aspects of organizational leadership. It is organized into four segments.
Segment 1: Analyze how external factors pose opportunities and challenges for organizations.
Segment 2: Craft a strategy to engage and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Segment 3: Develop a proposal for an innovative strategy designed to boost an organization's growth and competitiveness.
Segment 4: Engage in reflecting on your personal leadership style, identify areas of improvement, and formulate a plan to enhance your decision-making capabilities.
Executive Peer Group and Networking Event
The enriching environment of the networking event will provide you with the invaluable opportunity to build effective CEO leadership skills and a robust network with global executives who bring diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives. Engaging in thoughtful discussions, you can exchange cutting-edge insights and knowledge that are integral to staying abreast of industry trends. The networking event showcases the vibrant community that participants of the Chief Executive Officer Program become an invaluable part of.
Meet the Faculty Director
William Duggan
Senior Lecturer in Business, Management Division; Faculty Director, Chief Executive Officer Program
Contributing Faculty
Vanessa Burbano
Sidney Taurel Associate Professor of Business, Management Division
Paul Canetti
Adjunct Associate Professor of Business
Ashli B. Carter
Lecturer in the Discipline of Management in the Faculty of Business
Donna Hitscherich
Senior Lecturer in Discipline in Business
Paul Ingram
Kravis Professor of Business
Sheena Iyengar
S. T. Lee Professor of Business, Management Division
Jerry Wonyong Kim
Director, Arthur J. Samberg Institute for Teaching Excellence
Malia F. Mason
Courtney C. Brown Professor of Business
Stephan Meier
James P. Gorman Professor of Business; Chair of Management Division
Ciamac C. Moallemi
William von Mueffling Professor of Business
Oded Netzer
Vice Dean for Research, Dean's Office; Arthur J. Samberg Professor of Business
Shivaram Rajgopal
Roy Bernard Kester and T.W. Byrnes Professor of Accounting and Auditing; Accounting Division Chair
Miklos Sarvary
Carson Family Professor of Business; Co-Faculty Director, Media and Technology Program
Jeffrey L. Schwartz
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business
Pierre Yared
Vice Dean, Executive Education
Assaf Zeevi
Kravis Professor of Business
Certificate in Business Excellence
Upon completion of the Chief Executive Officer Program, participants are awarded the Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia Business School Executive Education. The certificate is a recognition of their achievement and the investment they and their organization have made in their education and development.
As a Certificate in Business Excellence holder, you will receive a 25 percent tuition benefit for full-price Executive Education in-person programs lasting three and four days and all full-price online programs. Exclusions apply
Certificate holders will also be awarded select Columbia Business School Alumni benefits.
Your digitally verified certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program, including all modules of the program (online, in person, or live online, inter-module). All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.
CIBE Holder Benefits
As a Certificate in Business Excellence holder upon completion of this program, you will be awarded select Columbia Business School alumni benefits.
Access to Columbia Business School Alumni Career Services resources, including unique career content, a job board, an online networking platform, the alumni directory, and more
Invitations to alumni events and programs around the world
Eligibility to join Columbia Business School alumni clubs
Global networking opportunities
Lifetime Columbia Business School forwarding email address
Subscription to our alumni publication Columbia Business
Your digitally verified certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program, including all modules of the program (online, in person, or live online, inter-module). All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.
Hear from Our Participants
Ralph Hoffman
Business Strategy Leader
"The AI sections were fantastic. The topics were very new and extremely relevant, and the lectures explained them well."
Erika Ahern Curran
Legal Affairs Leader
"A fantastic part of the program was the interaction during the live sessions and the peer networking. Meeting people from different industries and diverse roles and interacti...
Parag Arora
Product Strategy & Operations Leader
"I really like the way the program is structured and designed. It truly is holistic in terms of topics needed to develop one as a CEO."
Ruth Pitt
Brand & Retail Strategy Leader
"Overall, the lectures and content presented were excellent throughout the program. I thoroughly enjoyed the modules with practical tools, which you can take away and apply in...
Danielle Sheer
Trust & Compliance Leader
"The videos were such an engaging aspect of the program and, for me, were great supplements to reading, live sessions, and self-study work. I absolutely loved tuning in. I wou...
Richard Rizo
Technology Leader
"The best part of the program was the quality of the instruction by each faculty member. Each module provided invaluable content that was highly relevant to our current busine...
Richard Jones
Entrepreneur & Innovation Leader
"The elective period was the best part of this program, as my class included participants from different cohorts, and the live instructors were outstanding. The networking opp...
Todd O’Donnell
Transformation & Strategy Leader
"I really enjoyed the program content, the way it was presented, and the format of delivery, which included videos, case studies, and capstone projects. I also appreciated the...
Alexey Maltsev
Consumer Health Leader
"The diverse combination of academic knowledge and market expertise made the program truly unique."
Who Is It For?
The Chief Executive Officer Program is ideal for:
Experienced C-suite executives poised for transition into the CEO role
Newly appointed CEOs from small to medium-sized entities intent on augmenting their leadership acumen
High-potential leaders on the trajectory toward C-suite roles seeking to enhance their readiness for impending executive responsibilities
Participants are required to have:
A minimum of 10 years of work experience
Fluency in written and spoken English
Why Columbia Business School?
Columbia Business School is one of the world's leading business schools and prides itself on its excellent faculty who provide students with superior knowledge and thought leadership across divisions and disciplines. Its location in New York City and strong industry ties offer students access to top business minds, and its diverse community spans sectors and nations, making an impact in small startups as well as established industries. Columbia Business School is perhaps best known for value investing and the seminal work completed in that area by professors Benjamin Graham and David Dodd. It is affiliated with 13 winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics, including former professor Robert Mundell and current professors Joseph Stiglitz and Edmund Phelps-more than any other business school in the United States. The school has an international emphasis, and many alumni have achieved distinction in the public as well as the private sectors.
FAQs
I have a full-time job. What is the time commitment expected from me?
The Chief Executive Officer Program has been designed with your busy schedule in mind. You will be required to commit not more than three to five hours per week, enabling you to benefit from this transformative program while fulfilling your day-to-day work responsibilities. The impactful CEO executive education program offers a blend of self-paced modules and live interaction.
How do the live sessions work?
The 8- to 10-month learning journey of this CEO leadership program includes live online and video sessions with renowned faculty, industry experts, and global peers. You can take advantage of weekly live sessions and the Slack channel to ask questions and discuss ideas with your success coach and cohort participants. Real-world examples and a debrief of the program’s learnings are delivered through a combination of recorded video and live online lectures. The program concludes with an optional two-day on-campus networking event on the Columbia Business School campus in New York City, providing an opportunity to solidify your leadership skills and connections with fellow participants of this CEO program.
What is included in the price of the program?
The program fee covers teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include accommodations for the two-day in-person networking event, travel expenses (domestic, international, visa fee, and more), and other expenses not specifically mentioned in the fees.
Is there any discount or financial aid?
You can pay the full program fee upfront or pay in easy installments. If you apply well in advance of the program start date, you can receive a fee benefit. If you would like to approach your company with a sponsorship request for this CEO leadership program, here is a customizable template that you can use.
Does the program offer closed-captioning for videos included in the curriculum?
Yes. Closed-captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos as well as closed-captioning for recordings of live sessions is available.
Who will be collecting the payment for the program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
What is the program refund and deferral policy?
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Columbia Business School Executive Education may not be paid for with Title IV financial aid funds. Participants may be able to pay the program fee with funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits. Participants must contact the Columbia University’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs to determine benefit eligibility.
What is a CEO program?
A CEO program, including the Chief Executive Officer Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education, helps existing and aspiring C-suite leaders like you lead complex organizations. It focuses on strategy, leadership, and data and technology to help you navigate disruption, lead innovation, and drive sustained growth.
Who is the CEO Program designed for?
The Chief Executive Officer Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education is designed for experienced C-suite executives, newly appointed CEOs, and senior leaders preparing to transition into the CEO role. You benefit most if you are responsible for enterprise strategy, stakeholder leadership, and organization-wide performance.
Is a CEO program worth it?
A CEO program is worth considering if you want to sharpen your strategic judgment, broaden your global perspective, and lead effectively through uncertainty. The CEO Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education helps you navigate economic volatility, technological disruption, and stakeholder complexity while building long-term enterprise resilience.
What leadership challenges does the Chief Executive Officer Program address?
The Chief Executive Officer Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education helps you address diverse challenges, including economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, sustainability pressures, and board-level decision making. You develop the ability to align strategy, leadership, and innovation in a complex global business environment.
What does the Chief Executive Officer Program include?
The Chief Executive Officer Program includes core online learning across strategy, organization, leadership, and data and technology, live online faculty sessions, executive peer group discussions, and a capstone project. You also select one in-person elective from a set of Columbia Business School Executive Education programs.
How long is the Chief Executive Officer Program?
The Chief Executive Officer Program runs over 8 to 10 months, allowing you to balance learning with professional responsibilities while applying insights directly to real organizational challenges.
What can you expect from the CEO Program?
The Chief Executive Officer Program strengthens your strategic leadership capability, improves decision making, and develops a future-ready enterprise perspective. It equips you to lead through uncertainty, engage boards and stakeholders effectively, and leverage data and technology to drive innovation and growth.
What is the lifetime Columbia Business School forwarding email address (offered as a CIBE holder benefit upon completion of the program)?
An email forwarding address is not an inbox and does not store or send messages. Users cannot log in to a forwarding address to view messages as it does not have its own mailbox. Instead, it functions solely to redirect incoming emails to another active email account.
(e.g.)
Email forwarding address: janedoe@gsb.columbia.edu
Target address: janedoe@gmail.com
Do I receive a certificate after completing the Chief Executive Officer Program?
Upon completion of the Chief Executive Officer Program, participants are awarded the Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia Business School Executive Education.
Questions? Connect with a Program Advisor
Email: columbia_ceo@emeritus.org
Phone: +1 567 587 1669 (U.S.) / +44 1156 471398 (U.K.) / +971 80 0035703759 (U.A.E.) / +52 55966 08595 (LATAM)
Flexible payment options available.
Starts On