Atherton, Calif. — Menlo College is pleased to announce that Christoph Burkhardt — five-time author, serial founder, and trusted strategic advisor to Fortune 500 companies — will deliver the keynote address at the College’s 98th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Burkhardt’s selection comes at a pivotal moment for the Class of 2026, as artificial intelligence reshapes nearly every industry graduates are preparing to enter. His most recent book, Don’t Be a Robot: Seven Survival Strategies for the Age of Artificial Intelligence, speaks directly to the anxieties and opportunities facing today’s emerging professionals, offering a human-centered roadmap for relevance, adaptability, and leadership in an AI-driven economy.
“At a time when AI is top of mind for students, educators, and employers alike, Christoph Burkhardt brings clarity, credibility, and urgency to the conversation,” said Steven Weiner, President of Menlo College. “His work reminds us that while intelligence may be scalable, judgment, creativity, courage, and values remain profoundly human, and deeply employable.”
Based in San Francisco for more than a decade, Burkhardt has built a career at the intersection of academic rigor and entrepreneurial execution. He has coached more than 300 startup teams and served as global CEO of a health-tech company, leading a team of 90 through a high-pressure international product launch. His insights have made him a sought-after advisor to global organizations including BMW, Pfizer, SAP, Allianz, and Aldi.
A graduate with distinction from the London School of Economics, where his master’s thesis was produced in partnership with Google, Burkhardt is also a regular faculty member and guest lecturer at leading institutions such as Stanford University, ETH Zurich, the University of St. Gallen, and LMU Munich. Named one of Europe’s Top 100 Speakers, he is widely recognized for cutting through AI hype to focus on what actually drives sustainable innovation and human impact.
As Menlo College celebrates its graduates and their readiness to lead in a rapidly changing world, Burkhardt’s message underscores a central truth: the future of work will belong not to robots, but to humans who know how to work alongside them—thoughtfully, ethically, and boldly.
About Menlo College
Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
Media Contact: pr@menlo.edu
