David Rowan is a Strategic Advisor and Coach at BarkerGilmore, who brings more than 30 years of experience in executive legal and governance leadership, particularly within healthcare and nonprofit sectors. He collaborates with executive leaders and boards, specializing in executive coaching, succession planning, and optimizing organizational effectiveness.

David’s strategic insights are drawn from his tenure leading legal services for one of the world’s most renowned academic medical centers and his extensive background in international healthcare governance. Recognized as a highly innovative academic medical center, the Cleveland Clinic health system includes more than 81,000 employees, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient locations, 6,690 beds, and operating revenue of $14.5 Billion.

David has served as a Life Director of the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, a nonprofit dedicated to social justice. Throughout his career, David has been a frequent speaker on healthcare law, non-profit governance and tax-exempt compliance, and business and international negotiations.

David received his J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Toledo.

Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Succession Management, Organizational Strategy

David retired in 2024 from Cleveland Clinic after three decades as Chief Legal Officer, during which he led the Clinic’s legal and governance operations through significant growth, including the establishment of Cleveland Clinic London and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

As a trusted advisor to the Cleveland Clinic board and three CEOs (all cardiac surgeons) during his tenure, he oversaw mission-critical projects including assisting the board in the succession process of two CEOs.  His role encompassed high-stakes negotiations involving internal stakeholders and external partners, as well as oversight of governance practices across Cleveland Clinic’s extensive network of hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide.

Before his work at Cleveland Clinic, David was a partner at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (now Squire Patton Boggs), where he co-chaired the healthcare practice and served on the firm’s management committee.

Healthcare, Nonprofit