The core conceptualist and philosophical leader of the firm, David G. Booth founded Dimensional Fund Advisors in 1981 and continues to focus on the firm's key corporate initiatives and strategic long-range planning as chairman and co-CEO. Many of his original concepts underpin Dimensional's overall strategy, and his problem-solving innovations for clients set the firm apart from its competitors.

David's groundbreaking work in indexing and small capitalization investing is an example of his ability to connect the academic side of economic science to the practical world of investment management—two worlds that previously existed in separate realities. In so doing, he has furthered both the state of investment management and the state of portfolio theory.

David was one of the pioneers of indexing when he started his career with Wells Fargo and collaborated on the first index funds with John A. McQuown. In 1981, working initially out of his Brooklyn, New York brownstone, he founded Dimensional in the US to provide access to the small capitalization dimension, which was largely underrepresented in institutional portfolios. He has written numerous articles including "Diversification Returns and Asset Management" with Eugene F. Fama, which won a Graham and Dodd Award of Excellence from the Financial Analysts Journal in 1992.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business was named in honor of David, where he also serves as a lifetime member of the school's business advisory council. David is a member of the board of trustees of the University of Chicago, the University of Kansas Endowment Association, and he is on the board of directors of Georgetown University. He is also a member of the Paintings Conservation Council of the J. Paul Getty Trust. In 2010, Investment News named David as one of "The Power 20" in the financial services industry, and MutualFundWire ranked him 12th in its list of the 100 Most Influential People in mutual funds.

David received his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1971. He also holds an MS and a BA from the University of Kansas.