Gabelli School of Business Students, Faculty and Alumni Find Inspiration and Connection at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting

Alumni | Jun 17, 2025 | Gabelli School of Business

On May 2-4, I joined a group of Gabelli School of Business student Georgi Penukov and M.S. in finance alumni Catherine Flores (GABELLI’25) and Edwin Hess (GABELLI’25) for a unique opportunity to meet Professor Rick Carew and Professor Paul Johnson, adjunct professors, and Sris Chatterjee, Ph.D., professor of finance and economics and Gabelli Chair in Global Security Analysis at the Gabelli School of Business in Omaha, Nebraska for the iconic Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting. The trip – made even more memorable with Warren Buffett’s retirement announcement – was a chance for us to delve deep into the world of value investing while celebrating the Gabelli School’s strong ties within the investment community. We also had valuable opportunities to network with some of the most influential visionaries in value investing and beyond.

The trip kicked off with the prestigious GAMCO Value Investor Conference and the “From Graham to Buffett and Beyond” Omaha dinner hosted by Mario Gabelli (GABELLI’65) which brought together renowned investors, thought leaders, and students from across the country. These events gave us an invaluable platform to learn from industry pioneers and to engage in thoughtful dialogue about investing, business ethics, and long-term thinking.

Professor Carew also held a session that focused on Asian markets and included business associates visiting from Hong Kong who provided unique insights and international investment perspectives. A special highlight was the Columbia Business School’s private event, where the Gabelli School attendees were also invited, further strengthening our connections in the investment world.

This year’s Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting stood out for its emotional atmosphere after Warren Buffett unexpectedly announced his retirement, naming Greg Abel as his successor. Longtime attendees reacted with deep appreciation, celebrating Buffett’s legacy not only in finance but in generosity and wisdom.

One of the most rewarding experiences of the trip was connecting with other Gabelli School alumni. We had the pleasure of meeting Charles Chen (GABELLI’12), an M.B.A. graduate and a trust manager at JIC Trust, an investment firm based in China, who continues to embody the spirit of our global finance community. In a heartwarming twist, Chen and Professor Carew ran a 5K run and gathering organized by Brooks, a running shoe company owned by Berkshire Hathaway, at the end of the memorable weekend. We also met Sid Jain (GABELLI’03), an M.B.A. alumnus and president of AAAUM (OM) LLC, an independent advisory firm, whose journey further inspired students to envision the diverse paths Gabelli School graduates take in the world of finance and investing, and attended a brunch event hosted by the Markel Group, a Richmond, VA based insurance company that modeled its investment approach after Berkshire Hathaway.

Professor Rick Carew and alumnus Charles Chen

The most memorable part of the trip was the chance to connect with Mario Gabelli whose presence at the conference served as a powerful reminder of the legacy and leadership that Fordham University has nurtured over the years.

The Omaha trip was an extraordinary experience that enriched our understanding of value investing, deepened our appreciation for the Gabelli School’s alumni network, and strengthened the bond between students, faculty and alumni. It was a weekend filled with learning, laughter, and inspiration and the Jesuit values of cura personalis and lifelong learning, while introducing us to the brightest minds and thought leaders in the field.

Written by: Prashik Gawai (GABELLI’25) M.B.A.