Owner/President/CEO Program

The experience of founding, owning, or leading an enterprise is unlike any other in business — marked by hard-won triumphs, real-world challenges, and a profound sense of pride. But in a marketplace where breakthroughs and upheavals happen in real time, even the most accomplished leaders must continually evolve to secure their company’s future. Success at this level demands steadfast vision, sharp financial instincts, operational mastery, and a relentless entrepreneurial drive.

The Owner/President/CEO Program (OPC) from Wharton Executive Education is an exclusive, immersive journey for business owners and founders ready to look past the noise of day-to-day demands and shape a bold vision for their company, their legacy, and the leaders who will follow.

OPC combines academic rigor with practical insight, giving you the space to step back, rethink your approach, and gain new perspectives alongside a diverse global cohort. Here, you’ll build the strategies, skills, and relationships to thrive amid constant change — and leave a mark that endures far beyond your business.

The OPC programs offers an academic and professional experience unlike any other. Built around the realities of high-level leadership, OPC combines two on-campus cohort modules in Philadelphia with an intensive workshop in San Francisco — a city at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, you’ll step beyond the classroom, with immersive experiences and cultural activities that bring learning to life and foster a truly connected community.

Every element of OPC is designed to give you space for deep reflection and practical application. You’ll workshop your own five- and 10-year company plan, gaining feedback from faculty, peers, and Wharton alumni. In-person sessions are scheduled to let you immediately apply new ideas in your business, reflect on lessons learned, and return ready for what’s next.

Module 1: Leadership and Finance April 25 – May 7, 2027 | Philadelphia, PA

Module 2: Innovation January 23 – 27, 2028 | San Francisco, CA Held at Wharton’s Bay Area campus — a hub of academic and entrepreneurial activity — this module will enable participants to experience San Francisco’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and discover why San Francisco is the ultimate classroom for entrepreneurship.

Module 3: Legacy and Growth June 5 – 15, 2028 | Philadelphia, PA

In addition to the three modules, your OPC learning journey also includes the addition of three to four electives to further personalize your experience. You’ll have the ability to carefully choose programs to customize your education to your exact goals. Electives will be chosen from a curated list of Open Enrollment programs.

Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience highly personalized service from Wharton. From the application process and program selection to executive coaching and one-on-one feedback, you’ll have world-renowned business experts to support and guide you.

At the completion of your program, you will receive a certificate to acknowledge your distinguished accomplishment as well as Wharton alumni status, including:

Due to our application review period, applications submitted after 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday for programs beginning the following Monday may not be processed in time to grant admission. Applicants will be contacted by a member of our Client Relations Team to discuss options for future programs and dates.

Another highlight of the program is the inclusion of executive coaching. These sessions provide an intentional opportunity to take a step back for reflection, an incredibly valuable learning habit many founders and owners don’t take the time to do.

Your coaching begins on campus as part of your first OPC cohort module. In addition to individual coaching, OPC includes facilitated group work with a team of peers.

The program is designed for executives who hold or are preparing for very senior leadership roles in business entities where the individuals and/or their families own a significant equity stake. Though startup founders are welcome, this program is designed specifically for established businesses and their entrepreneurial leaders who have achieved sustained success and are preparing to take the company to the next level.

Successful applicants will be from businesses with at least 50 employees that have a value of 25 million USD or more, or companies with at least 25 million USD in sales.

Fluency in English, written and spoken, is required for participation in Wharton Executive Education programs unless otherwise indicated.