# David Burgstahler

> David Burgstahler is the New York-based managing partner and CEO of Avista Healthcare Partners, which he co-founded in 2005. His career includes McDonnell Douglas, Andersen Consulting and DLJ, alongside an aerospace engineering degree from the University of Kansas, an MBA from Harvard Business School and extensive public and private company board service.

- **Role:** Managing Partner and CEO at Avista Healthcare Partners
- **Organizations:** Avista Healthcare Partners, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, DLJ Investment Banking, Andersen Consulting, McDonnell Douglas, Birchwell Consumer Health, Cosette Pharmaceuticals, EBI Bone Healing, Spear Education, United BioSource Corporation, XIFIN
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Kansas, M.B.A., Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Avista in 2005., Became president of Avista in 2009 and subsequently its managing partner and CEO., Led the firm at the time of its 2024 $1.5 billion fund close, above a $1.25 billion target.

## Career timeline

- **1987-1990** — Worked at McDonnell Douglas.
- **1991-1993** — Worked at Andersen Consulting.
- **1995-1997** — Worked at DLJ Investment Banking.
- **1997-2005** — Worked at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners; held the roles of partner and head of healthcare before co-founding Avista.
- **2005** — Co-founded Avista.
- **2009** — Became president of Avista.
- **2024** — Led Avista as CEO when it announced a $1.5 billion fund close and rebranded as Avista Healthcare Partners.
- **2026** — Continues as managing partner and CEO; announced investment-team promotions in January.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Avista in 2005.
- Became president of Avista in 2009 and subsequently its managing partner and CEO.
- Led the firm at the time of its 2024 $1.5 billion fund close, above a $1.25 billion target.
- Historical acquisition-company disclosures credited him with a key leadership role in 14 private equity-backed investments and involvement in 16 add-on acquisitions; these are historical counts, not current totals.
- Has served on numerous public and private company boards.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — Mayne Pharma announced that it had commenced damages proceedings on February 18 against Cosette, Cosette Holdings, Avista and Burgstahler; the allegations concern a disputed acquisition agreement and are not findings against Burgstahler.
- **2026-01** — Avista promoted Ryan Moran and Garrett Lustig to partner and Elaine Tang to principal; Burgstahler publicly recognized their contributions.
- **2024-08** — Avista Capital Partners rebranded as Avista Healthcare Partners.
- **2024-03** — Avista announced the closing of Fund VI at $1.5 billion.

## Links

- Website: https://www.david-burgstahler.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-burgstahler-a9837168/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-burgstahler
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09