Victor Saad

Victor Saad is an entrepreneur, educator, and experience designer recognized for his innovative approach to professional development and career transitions. Saad specializes in helping individuals navigate significant life and career changes, drawing on a philosophy shaped by his own self-directed learning journey. After working in the nonprofit sector and seeking broader business experience, he opted to design his own experiential learning program rather than attend a traditional business school.

Saad created "The Leap Year Project," during which he completed 12 one-month projects with startups and companies worldwide. He concluded this initiative with a graduation event at a TED conference in Chicago. Throughout the project, Saad invited others to consider what risks they would take to positively impact their lives, communities, or the world. This challenge led to the formation of a global community of participants, known as Leapers, and resulted in the publication of his book, "The Leap Year Project: Learning to Risk & Risking to Learn," which explores the value of experiential learning and risk-taking.

After completing his self-designed master's program, Saad founded Experience Institute, a learning and development firm focused on talent development and organizational growth. Under his leadership, the company has designed and facilitated talent programs for major organizations. Saad has been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 in education and has served as a lecturer in design at Stanford School of Engineering, where he contributed to the development of experiential learning courses at the Stanford d.school. He is also the co-author of the children's book "The Shapeless Shape."

Saad's career includes designing a self-directed MBA through real-world apprenticeships, founding Experience Institute, and undertaking a 250-mile walk across Spain to reflect on personal and professional growth. He serves as chairman of the board at Experience Institute and chief talent officer at NextGen Growth Partners, where he supports team development and collaborates with founders during business transitions. Saad frequently speaks to corporations, universities, and aspiring leaders about intentional risk-taking, human-centered learning, and career development.