Prof. David Yu is the Chairman and MD of Asia Aviation Valuation Advisors (AAVA), as well as the Managing Director and Chief Investment/Finance Officer of Inception Holdings Limited, a family principal investment and advisory firm. He heads up investment efforts and provides investment and financing solutions to investors, partners, etc.

Prof. Yu is a recognized expert in cross border finance and investing. In addition, Prof. Yu has extensive experience in direct investments and financing across industries globally including deal origination, analysis, structuring, financing, and senior management responsibilities. He is also an adjunct professor of finance at New York University in Shanghai (NYU Shanghai) where he teaches cross border investments and financing and in NYU Stern / HKUST’s Masters of Global Finance Program. He also acts as a board member and senior advisor for funds and companies.

Prof. Yu is a CFA Charter-holder and has a B.A. in Economics and Computer Science (full honors) and an M.S. in Systems Analysis and Applied Economics (Dept. of Geography and Environmental Engineering) from Johns Hopkins University. He also has an M.B.A. in general management with a concentration in finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Prof. Yu received his Ph.D. in Finance from University of Nottingham Business School and studied at National Singapore University and Peking University. He is a Fellow at Johns Hopkins University’s Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health and the Study of Business Enterprise. He is a member of International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), CFA Institute and is an ISTAT Certified Aviation Appraiser, where he is the only independent in China & North Asia and one of ~50 globally. He is also an aviation, financing and leasing instructor for IATA. Prof. Yu is a frequently invited speaker at leasing, investment, and finance industry conferences, commentator, and has been interviewed in the top industry and general publications. He is a regular opinion columnist, editor, and commentator for various media outlets.