Thirty Minute Mentors Episode 279: Dimensional Co-Founder David Booth
May 13, 2025
David Booth, co-founder of Dimensional Fund Advisors and namesake of the Booth School of Business, shares his transformative journey in modern investing. He discusses the pivotal role of mentorship, especially from a Nobel laureate, in shaping his career. Booth emphasizes the importance of navigating uncertainty with adaptability and making informed decisions rooted in trust and teamwork. He also reflects on the subjective nature of success, urging listeners to align their life choices with personal values for true fulfillment.
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Teacher's Impact on David Booth
- David Booth was about to drop out of calculus but his teacher Mrs. McReynolds intervened and got him back in class.
- This support enabled him to pursue math and econometrics successfully, shaping his quantitative skills.
Mentor Gene Fama's Role
- David Booth worked as research assistant for Nobel laureate Gene Fama at University of Chicago.
- Fama connected him to Wells Fargo, launching Booth's career in investing and indexing.
Indexing Revolution Impact
- Index investing transformed finance by lowering fees and improving outcomes for most investors.
- Data showed actively managed funds rarely outperform simple index strategies over time.