David was born in Iran to Presbyterian missionaries Frank and Jean Woodward and spent his first 11 years there before the family returned permanently to the U.S. in 1968. David earned four degrees from the University of Washington including a Master of Arts in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization with a focus on Islamic philosophy and theology; he has developed fluency in Persian, Arabic and French, has worked and traveled worldwide as a leader in the field of international education, and is an active member of the Iranian-American community in the Greater Seattle Area. Throughout his career, David has sought to strengthen ties between the people of Iran and the U.S. through a variety of organizations, institutions and initiatives, and has been an outspoken advocate for genuine engagement and trust-building between people of all faiths, ethnicities and cultures.