Chief Wealth Strategist, Waddell & Associates
David is W&A’s bold and courageous leader. As the firm’s CEO and Chief Investment Strategist, David chairs the W&A investment committee and, leveraging almost three decades of experience, combines macro-economic forecasting, macro market analysis and macro risk assessments to help design portfolio strategies for clients. His signature ability? Making the complex simple; cutting through the noise (hence the nickname The Fog Cutter) with the goal to deliver clarity in a world of financial confusion.
A dynamic communicator and compelling storyteller, David has earned national recognition as a thought leader in global economics and investments. He has been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business and Barron’s, and frequently speaks to business and civic groups nationwide.
David earned his BA in Economics from The University of the South and his MBA with a concentration in finance and investments from Babson College in Boston. He launched his career at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., advancing through the ranks thanks in part to his strong performance in business development and strategic partnerships. David is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®).
An active force in his community, David is a founding member of Epicenter Memphis and serves on the Board of Governors at the New Memphis Institute. He chaired the capital campaign to build the “Live” stage at the Memphis Botanic Garden and held leadership roles with The Leadership Academy, the RISE Foundation, the Economic Club of Memphis and more.
David has made connections worldwide through his memberships in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Young Professionals Organization, Chief Executives Organization, and Tiger 21, and continues to learn by immersing himself in diverse cultures.