The 2026 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a key event for global investors, was held on May 2, 2026, local time in Omaha, Nebraska. This year marked the 61st meeting. During the event, an interview was conducted with Winsley Durand, Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Omaha Chamber and founder of the REACH program.
Winsley Durand stated in the interview that Berkshire Hathaway will not disappear after Warren Buffett, as his hand-picked successors will continue the same philosophy. He noted that each May, Omaha has transformed from a single meeting into an ongoing global network of investor relationships.
Throughout the discussion, Durand repeatedly emphasized a core principle: "Support is a pipeline, not a one-time transaction." From founding the REACH program at the Greater Omaha Chamber to applying the same methodology at his new company, MCL, he has consistently worked on solving the same issue: how to provide a sustained upward pathway for overlooked communities.
When discussing Berkshire Hathaway and Omaha in the "post-Buffett era," he offered a pragmatic assessment. Buffett's personal influence will not fade, as his philosophy has been adopted by the successors he personally mentored. Furthermore, the annual gathering in Omaha each May has long evolved from a mere meeting into a continuously functioning network of investor relations.
The following is a transcript of the interview:
Question: Winsley, you lead the REACH program at the Greater Omaha Chamber. What reproducible lessons have you learned from your years leading REACH?
Winsley Durand: I founded the REACH program in 2015. We started it after identifying that many minority-owned businesses lacked equal access to capital, resources, and opportunities compared to other companies. We designed the program to help these businesses build capacity and connect them with real opportunities. Evidence shows that once given the right opportunities, these companies experience exponential growth.
The most important lesson I've learned is that no matter what stage a business is in, it will always face new challenges. As a company grows from inception to profitability and then to a certain scale, it encounters a completely different set of problems and opportunities.
The traditional chamber approach was often a "one-time assist" before moving on to the next business. My philosophy is different—businesses need continuous upward mobility. Therefore, you must continuously introduce new enterprises into this pipeline and accompany them throughout their growth journey. Once they reach a certain stage, they can, in turn, support the next wave of businesses, passing opportunities forward.
Question: It sounds like as long as one is willing to keep moving forward, there will always be new challenges.
Winsley Durand: Exactly, this is definitely not a one-time transaction. I've brought the same mindset to my new company, MCL. At the Chamber, we can provide access to capital and opportunities, but businesses still need to find projects on their own afterward.
At MCL, I can say, "I helped you secure capital, I helped you grow, and now I have a project that matches your scale which I can directly assign to you." This approach truly connects the entire pathway, creating a complete, closed-loop system.
Question: The development of Berkshire Hathaway has also boosted the local economy of Omaha. This year the scene appears somewhat quieter than previous years. Against the backdrop of Buffett gradually moving behind the scenes, what is your view on the future impact?
Winsley Durand: I hope and believe this impact will not change significantly. People come to Omaha fundamentally because they identify with this investment philosophy.
The successors personally cultivated by Buffett will continue the same philosophy. Therefore, investors will still allocate capital through the Berkshire Hathaway system and will continue to be willing to come here to exchange ideas.
Many attendees come every year; this is the only time they see each other. For them, it's more like an annual reunion of old friends. The essence is relationships, the connections between people. Once such a network is formed, they will keep returning.
Thus, I believe Omaha's position as the home for this gathering will endure.
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