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Graham Weaver
Partner, Alpine Investors
Graham Weaver is a Lecturer in Management at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business (GSB) and the founder and partner of Alpine Investors, a private equity firm based in San Francisco.12
Background and Education
Graham holds an MBA from Stanford GSB and a bachelor of science in engineering from Princeton University, where he graduated with highest honors.2 He started Alpine Investors while still a student at Stanford GSB, launching the firm from his dorm room.2
Professional Career
With over 20 years of experience in private equity, Graham has built Alpine Investors into a "PeopleFirst" private equity firm that focuses on software and services investments.2 The firm's approach centers around talent development and management.
Teaching at Stanford GSB
Graham has been teaching at Stanford GSB for over 20 years.3 He is currently the Larsen Lam Family Lecturer for the 2024-2025 academic year.2 His teaching has been recognized with the MBA Distinguished Teaching Award from Stanford GSB in 2024.2
Philosophy and Approach
Graham is known for his insights on leadership, personal development, and living an "asymmetric life." Some key principles he advocates include:
- Following your energy rather than just passion3
- Doing hard things to achieve asymmetric outcomes4
- Pursuing your unique path rather than conventional routes4
- Focusing on self-discovery and building intention5
He often shares these ideas through lectures, speeches, and his personal blog, where he writes about leadership, self-discovery, and current events.5
Graham Weaver's approach combines his practical experience in private equity with a focus on personal growth and leadership development, making him a valued educator and mentor at Stanford GSB.