The Grossman School of Business (Grossman School) recently hosted Chuck Davis ’72, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Stone Point Capital, as part of its annual Hoffman Family Business Lecture. This speaker series provides University of Vermont (̽̽) students with a unique opportunity to gain insights and learn about innovative business policies and practitioners through guest lectures every spring.
A Full Day Connecting with Students
On April 17, students had the opportunity to delve into Mr. Davis’s journey from Vermont to his leadership role at Stone Point Captial, a leading alternative investment firm. Chuck spent time with students during an invite-only breakfast, where he heard from first years to seniors about their experiences at the Grossman School of Business and the extracurricular activities they are passionate about. Chuck told students how impressed he was with their determination and desire to take advantage of opportunities that the Grossman School of Business provides.
Students who are part of the Entrepreneurship Club, Catamount Innovation Fund, and Academic Research Commercialization also shared stories of business startup ventures and successes. Chuck was enthralled to learn about the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that is growing at ̽̽.
Discussion on Financial Expertise and Leadership
Following breakfast, Chuck presented to a standing-room-only audience about his career path. Before founding Stone Point Capital, Mr. Davis spent 23 years at Goldman Sachs, where he served as Head of Investment Banking Services worldwide and Co-Head of the Americas Group. He regaled the audience with the trials and tribulations that lined his path from a young graduate with a Physical Education major to the opportunity to create Stone Point Capital, showcasing extensive experience and strategic vision in the financial industry.
Chuck advised those in the audience to find something unique and become “the world’s leading expert in that subject,” citing his own experiences in the real estate market to illustrate the success that this could lead to. He also drove home the importance of a work/life balance, noting that a healthy body, mind, and soul superseded financial success. Chuck also noted several females in the room and talked about how two boards that he sits on are led by female CEOs who are top of their field.
Following the discussion, Chuck met with several students over lunch. Students were thrilled to learn about his career path and be able to share their future goals. Afterward, he met with Dean Sharma along with several juniors and seniors to share more insights.
The Vermont Connection
Beyond his professional achievements, Chuck maintains strong ties to his Vermont roots, actively supporting ̽̽ and the local community. He shared some of his stories about his time playing in athletics at ̽̽ and how teamwork is a major portion of his career path.
A native of Burlington and ̽̽ alumnus, Chuck was a two-sport All-Conference athlete and is an inductee in the ̽̽ Athletic Hall of Fame. He contributed funding for the Dudley H. Davis Center, named after his father, and served as a university trustee from 1996 to 2002.
In addition to his corporate endeavors, Mr. Davis and his family are involved in enriching the Shelburne and Burlington communities, supporting cultural institutions like the Shelburne Museum and other community-driven projects. The Hoffman Family Business Lecture Fund provides opportunities for students at ̽̽ to learn about innovative business policies and practices from leading scholars and practitioners through special guest lectures during the academic year.
Learn more about Mr. Davis and the Hoffman Family Speaker Series.