Alice Schroeder - 2009

Author of "The Snowball," the definitive biography of investor Warren Buffett

March 19, 2009

Ms. Schroeder shared what she learned from Warren Buffett while writing his biography and how it related to current economic conditions.

Biography

CPA, former regulator and all-star analyst Alice Schroeder was recruited by Warren Buffett to research and write "The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life" (September 2008). Schroeder was given unprecedented access by Buffett — to his files, family, business associates and massive quantities of his time for interviews and questions. She made a name for herself as the first analyst to be granted an interview with Buffett and the only analyst with whom he would speak.

"The Snowball," a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, is a revealing and complete look at the life, wisdom and philosophy of Buffett, often called "The Oracle of Omaha." He is one of the world's most successful investors and is known for being personally frugal, as well as a notable philanthropist.

Audience group sitting in seats Schroeder standing to speak Schroeder sitting while talking to standing man Group of people standing around Schroeder looking down reading Schroeder sitting while speaking to woman

After earning her MBA from the University of Texas, Schroeder audited for Ernst & Young, then drafted rules for the Financial Accounting Standards Board before moving to Wall Street. The native Texan wrote a 54-page report for PaineWebber on Berkshire Hathaway in 1999 that was the first comprehensive look at Buffett's company.

She was then recruited by Morgan Stanley, where she was a managing director and Institutional Investor's top-ranked property-casualty insurance analyst. Risk and Insurance magazine called her "one of the most respected — and unafraid — thinkers on Wall Street."