Summer 2023 Program (register to be notified when the application is ready)
Taught by Harvard MBAs with executive roles in business and finance
Free High School Summer Program
Sunday nights beginning mid-June for six weeks
7pm NYC time, 90 minutes via Zoom
Learning Goals
Our goal is to introduce high school students to the basics of business, leadership, ethics, and finance using the letters of Warren Buffett and a curriculum we have devised and tested with hundreds of high school students.
We gauge our effectiveness by the degree to which we change the level of motivation, accountability, ethical thinking, and sense of inclusion regarding the world of business.
Curriculum
Designed and taught by Harvard MBAs with significant business and investing experience, the WBRG curriculum is made up of six Warren Buffett shareholder letters and a series of questions we have prepared.
In terms of teaching methods, we use a modified case study method where every student reads, prepares an answer, and presents every week for six weeks.
To apply
Students register to be notified when the Summer 2023 Application is ready.
Requirements
Students in high school (minimum age of 15 or older).
Able to participate in a Zoom class – i.e., computer with camera and Zoom.
No previous business or finance training required.
Online application from each student stating they will do the homework and be present for each class.
There is no charge for the program.
Diversity
All students are welcome and we strive to maximize diversity of each 12 student section, aiming for:
50%+ female students
33%+ students of color, or indigenous
Student Testimonials
Learning about finance opened my eyes to something new, interesting, and applicable to whatever I choose to do in life. I also met a lot of fun and interesting students from across the country in the process.
Alexi S., Sophomore, High School in California
The WBRG exceeded my expectations. This class gave me some key tools for success, and I highly recommend it for high school students!
Maslyn P., Virginia
The WBRG course was a great learning experience that not only taught me smart business and life advice but prepared me for my first year of college.
Luke S., Senior, High School in Texas
Parent Testimonials
I cannot thank the WBRG program enough! My son is starting his high school junior year in such a different way coming out of the summer.
He has so much more intensity, drive, and confidence. We don’t push him anymore. He’s motivating himself. Terrific!
Neville L, Texas High School Parent
Two years *after* he completed the high school WBRG program he is in college and still quoting from the experience.
It’s had a lasting impact on his understanding of business and finance and he’s well equipped to think about business in an ethical way.
Lorin, New York High School Parent
[waiting for approval]
Summer 2023 Registrar
McKenzie W.
A veteran of the summer and yearlong WBRG classes, McKenzie loves the program and will be the registrar for the Summer 2022. “Hey everyone! My name’s McKenzie and this summer I will be a rising junior at Phillips Academy Andover. I love learning about math, computer science, and business, of course! My hobbies include fencing, photography, reading, and watching anime. I hope to see you in class!”
Teacher Bios
In addition to her Harvard MBA, Melissa has a PhD in leadership. She has held CFO and strategy roles for a range of companies including her current stint as head of corporate strategy for financial services firm, USAA. Melissa has also taught at the Naval PostGraduate School and has served as US Naval Academy Class of 1967 Leadership Fellow. She has lived and worked in five separate countries and has written articles and book chapters on teamwork and transformational change.
Phyl is the founder of The WBRG, and by day is the CEO and founder of Collaborative Gain, a leadership community for digital executives. He also runs his own private investment fund.
Every year, Phyl brings groups of CEOs out to Omaha for a private workshop and for the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting with Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. He holds a Harvard MBA and is the author of books about customer experience, career development, and contributed to The Warren Buffett Shareholder: Stories from inside the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting.
David is a Partner at Tandem Capital, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, and before that spent more than a decade as a partner at value investing hedge fund, Standard Pacific Capital. David has a passion for education and youth development, and, among other things, sits on the Board of Directors of Americans for Ben Gurion University. David also has an MBA from Harvard Business School.
The WBRG is a Pro Bono project of Collaborative Gain. The WBRG is not affiliated with Warren Buffett or Berkshire Hathaway. Warren Buffett Shareholder Letters are copyright Warren Buffett.