# Fireside Chat with Daniel Schwartz, CEO of Restaurant Brands International

NYU Stern’s [Leadership Development Initiative](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/leadership-development/overview) welcomed Daniel Schwartz, CEO of Restaurant Brands International, for a fireside chat on September 29 as part of the School’s Leadership Development Speaker Series. Professor and Vice Dean of Faculty [Elizabeth Morrison](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/elizabeth-morrison) moderated the discussion, which focused on the experiences that have shaped Schwartz’ leadership style and the future of the Burger King and Tim Hortons brands.

Schwartz began the conversation by describing his path from financial analyst to the fast-food industry as one with many consistencies. “In each of my roles, I have found a good mix of entrepreneurship and finance, and, most important, a culture that values meritocracy,” he told the crowd of Stern students, faculty and administrators.

Throughout his leadership roles as a partner at 3G Capital, chief financial officer of Burger King and now CEO of two multinational brands, Schwartz has reaffirmed his belief in the importance of culture for the success of a business. “You can only get things done through people, and it’s important to invest in people who share your values,” he noted.

Achieving a professional fit is a reciprocal process, and Schwartz offered attendees some advice on finding the right career path, focusing on three key questions: - Is this field growing?
- Are there examples of employees growing within this role and the overall organization?
- Do I identify with the values of the company?

![Fireside Chat with Daniel Schwartz](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/danschwartz400x300_1.jpg "Fireside Chat with Daniel Schwartz")

Coordinated by Stern’s Leadership Development group in the [Office of Career Development](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/career-development), the Leadership Development Speaker Series gives students an opportunity to hear from senior executives in different industries on the challenges and lessons of being a leader.

Business and Policy Leader Events

— 9/29/2015

![Daniel Schwartz](/sites/default/files/styles/480w/public/assets/images/danielschwartzfeature231x261.jpg?itok=uIIyybgx)You can only get things done through people, and it’s important to invest in people who share your values.

###  Read more about past Leadership Development Initiative events:

- [Daniel Schwartz, CEO of Restaurant Brands International](/node/24711)
- [Jacob Silverman, president of Duff & Phelps](/node/7462)
- [Elana Drell Szyfer, CEO of AHAVA](/node/48260)

###  Read more about past Leadership Luncheon Series events:

- [David Rock, co-founder and director, NeuroLeadership Institute](/node/7951)
- [Stephen Sadove, chairman and CEO, Saks](/node/6297)
- [Sharon Allen, former chairman, Deloitte](/node/6027)
- [Jeff Zucker, former president and CEO, NBC Universal](/node/5503)
- [Tony Alvarez, co-founder, Alvarez & Marsal LLC](/node/4886)
- [Bill Drayton, founder and CEO, Ashoka](/node/4876)
- [Mike Indursky (MBA ’90), president, Bliss World Holdings Inc.](/node/45749)
- [Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO, Women’s World Banking](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/events/mary-ellen-iskenderian-2011)
- [Larry Silverstein (ARTS ’52), president and CEO, Silverstein Properties](http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/silverstein-secrets-success)