David specializes in helping senior leaders drive growth, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and build high-performing leadership teams in competitive, evolving environments. With more than 35 years of experience as a CEO and merger & acquisition practitioner, he brings deep expertise in corporate strategy, organizational structure, financial planning, and operational execution.

Before joining AEI, David led and advised organizations through significant transformation and growth across multiple industries. Most notably, he served as CEO of Lazard Middle Market from 2007 to 2018, where he more than tripled revenues and dramatically increased revenue per Managing Director. Prior to Lazard, David was co-CEO of Goldsmith, Agio Helms, helping grow the firm from 6 to more than 130 professionals over a 16-year period. Earlier in his career, he worked as a real estate developer constructing major shopping centers.

As a Senior Executive Coach at AEI, David delivers an execution-focused business development coaching program to generate near-term and long-term momentum. He partners closely with CEOs and senior leadership teams to clarify goals, align leadership around strategic priorities, and develop multi-year operational plans grounded in competitive realities. His work emphasizes both leadership effectiveness and disciplined execution, helping organizations build momentum for sustainable change.

David’s coaching is grounded in the emotional and cultural awareness established through the AEI process, helping leaders drive growth and measurable results while building organizational cohesion and resilience.

David holds an MBA from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota and graduated magna cum laude from Yale University with a Master’s degree and BA in Architecture. He currently serves on the boards of Grand Circle Corporation and American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization.

Outside of his professional work, David is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys backpacking, fly fishing, distance running, cycling, squash, and tennis. He is also an accomplished classical pianist. He and his wife, Dawn, have six adult children and many grandchildren, and split their time between Washington, D.C. and Chicago.