Donald Bessler

Donald Bessler is a seasoned investment professional with over three decades of experience in portfolio management and investment strategy. As Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Windward Capital Management, based in Thousand Oaks, CA, he oversees the firm’s investment process, portfolio construction, and risk management, guiding both equity and fixed income strategies for institutional and high-net-worth clients.

Bessler specializes in multi-asset class investing, with a focus on global equities, fixed income, and alternative investments. His expertise spans sector rotation, macroeconomic analysis, and tactical asset allocation, with a particular emphasis on technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary sectors. He is known for integrating fundamental research with quantitative analysis to drive consistent portfolio performance.

Prior to joining Windward Capital Management in 2004, Bessler held senior roles at First American Capital Management and Roxbury Capital Management, where he served as Senior Portfolio Manager, Managing Director, and Director of Research. He holds a BS in Finance, a BS in Accounting, and a BA in Psychology from Lehigh University, which underpins his analytical approach and behavioral insights in investment decision-making. Bessler is a CPA and has been recognized for his contributions to portfolio innovation and risk-adjusted returns in the investment management industry.