Stephan van der Mersch
Stephan is an analyst on the Acacia team.
After finishing his undergraduate studies, Stephan lived and studied in China for several years. He joined Ruane Cunniff in 2008, when he was recruited out of an MBA program at National Chengchi University before graduating.
Stephan graduated from Occidental College, Summa Cum Laude, with a BA in Diplomacy & World Affairs.
What advice do you have for aspiring investors?
Focus on the things that nobody else is looking at. If it's uncomfortable, you're probably on track.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your investing career?
Humility. Again and again and again.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I am a fanatic about tea as a Zen practice. One can find a deep stillness of mind and connection with nature in that. I own a small tea house in the mountains of Colorado. I cultivate all sorts of interests--lately growing fruits and vegetables, making my own salami, road biking, and collecting antique and modern teaware.