David Breach

David Breach is a prominent business leader currently serving as the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vista Equity Partners, a leading global investment firm specializing in enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled companies.123 In his role, Breach oversees various aspects of Vista's operations, including finance, human resources, investor relations, compliance, legal, and marketing functions. He also plays a crucial role in the firm's fundraising and investment activities.2

Early Life and Education

David Breach was born in a suburb of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and later moved to southeastern Michigan. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and attended Eastern Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in sales and marketing.45 He then pursued a law degree at the University of Michigan Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1994 and becoming a member of the Order of the Coif.24

Career

Before joining Vista Equity Partners in 2014, Breach worked as a Senior Corporate Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. At Kirkland & Ellis, he was instrumental in establishing the firm's San Francisco office and served on its global executive management committee.23 During his tenure at Kirkland & Ellis, Breach specialized in representing private equity funds and played a key role in several significant acquisitions.5

At Vista Equity Partners, Breach initially served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer before being appointed President in August 2021. He is involved in Vista's Executive Committee and Private Equity Management Committees and serves on the boards of several Vista portfolio companies such as EagleView, Jamf, Solera, and Stats Perform.34

Contributions and Recognitions

David Breach is recognized as a thought leader in both legal and investment communities. He has participated in various conferences and podcasts to share his insights on investment strategies and market dynamics.16 Additionally, he has been honored with awards such as "Law 360 MVP of the Year" for private equity in 2013 and was rated as a "Tier 1" lawyer by Chambers & Partners for private equity mergers and acquisitions in 2011.4

Philanthropy

Breach is actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly with the University of Michigan. He established the David A. and Emily A. Breach Law School Scholarship Fund to support students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds or those with significant student loan debt. In 2020, he endowed the David A. Breach Deanship at the University of Michigan Law School with a $5 million contribution.45