David helped create Bridge2Rwanda in 2007 and has continuously served as our primary legal advisor. He first joined the B2R board in 2007 and later stepped down to assume responsibility as Chairman of the board of trustees of Hendrix College. During that time, David continued to serve as a close advisor, supporter and advocate for B2R. He and his wife, Janna, are B2R donors and have served as a host family for multiple B2R Scholars attending Hendrix. 

David is a long-term, committed friend of Rwanda. While serving on the Hendrix board of trustees, David organized the Hendrix Consortium, consisting of eighteen private and public U.S. colleges and universities with support from B2R and the Clinton Foundation. The Consortium provided four-year scholarships to over 180 of Rwanda’s top high school graduates under the Rwanda Presidential Scholars Program from 2007 to 2018. 

David earned his English degree at Hendrix College, Masters of Public Administration at the University of Oklahoma, Juris Doctor at the University of Arkansas School of Law and has received an honorary doctorate from Hendrix. Following work with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Rose Law Firm, David joined Stephens Inc. in 1988, where he continues to serve as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. 

David’s volunteer pursuits reflect his passion for education and the arts, as well as for  social justice. He has chaired the boards of Hendrix College, The Cathedral School, Arkansas Repertory Theater and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. An avid photographer, David has produced four books in support of cultural and philanthropic organizations: Faith and Good Works in Africa; In Character: A Season at the Rep; Young Artists at the Rep; and Ballet Arkansas Reflections.