David Monk

About David Monk

My name is David Monk. I help high-performing individuals, brands, and companies bring clarity, strategy, and precision to moments that matter. With a foundation in international tax law (Ernst & Young), private banking and client strategy (Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse), and start-up operations across logistics, real estate, and e-commerce, I’ve spent 20+ years bridging the gap between strategy and execution. I’ve advised billion-dollar real estate families, helped brands collateralize everything from art to aircraft, and built systems for early-stage teams scaling fast. I’ve run global sales teams, trained executives in negotiation and conflict resolution, and coached founders and athletes on presence, persuasion, and performance, all grounded in a background that includes professional theater, radio, and high-stakes public speaking. What connects it all? Pattern recognition. People. Performance under pressure. And a bias for action. Whether I’m leading a strategic M&A sprint, coaching a team through conflict, or designing a backend operating system from scratch, I bring both sharp insight and human-centered leadership to the table. Let’s build systems that scale, tell stories that land, and solve the real problem, not just the loud one. I am based outside Philadelphia where my passions for sports, family and cooking are all incorporated into my daily life.

Experience

1. CEO, Founder

   Digital Core

   Apr 2025 — Present

   Legal & Advisory Work * International Tax Consultant at Ernst & Young; Legal Counsel on ADR and Corporate Matters * Advised HNWIs and multinational clients on cross-border tax structures, reducing liabilities while ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.* Led negotiations for cross-border commercial contracts worth $20M+, integrating tax, regulatory, and corporate strategy.* Successfully mediated over 25 ADR cases, including B2B contractual disputes, resulting in 90%+ resolution without litigation.* Trademark and IP protection guidance for emerging brands, including successful USPTO trademark filings for consumer product and apparel companies. Finance & Banking * Senior Relationship Manager – Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse * Managed a $4B book of business, including lending, wealth structuring, and concierge-level client service for global real estate principals.* Executed complex lending transactions for clients purchasing and collateralizing yachts, planes, art, wine collections, and rare autos—structuring leverage across luxury and illiquid assets. Real Estate, Construction & Logistics * CRO / Consultant for Startups in Manufacturing & Supply Chain (US, EU, Hong Kong, China)* Negotiated manufacturing contracts and international freight terms, achieving 15% cost savings and cutting delivery delays by 22%.* Ran construction finance advisory efforts for clients developing mixed-use projects, integrating legal, funding, and operations. Startups & Operational Systems * COO / Strategic Advisor – Tech, Fulfillment, and SaaS Companies Built operating frameworks from scratch: SOPs, KPI dashboards, and OKR frameworks for early-stage teams (≤20 people). Public Speaking, Training, and Performance Coaching * Corporate Trainer / Performance Coach / Actor & Radio Host * Delivered conflict resolution training for summer associates at Goldman Sachs and corporate executives at Fortune 100 companies.

Education

• Pepperdine Law

  Juris Doctor (J.D.)

  1994 — 1997

• University of Pennsylvania

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Linguistics and Economics

  1988 — 1992