Our People

Nova Group's senior staff has been providing advisory services to the life sciences industry since 1994. Our approach to client engagements begins with a dedicated case team composed largely of senior professionals that remain actively involved throughout the project.

Derek Burnham, President and Managing Partner
Derek has in excess of fifteen years experience in management consulting and corporate development positions. Previously, he has worked with Boston Scientific, Marakon Associates, and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). His functional experience spans strategic planning, business development, portfolio management, and marketing in the healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Derek holds an MBA from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

James McAvinn, Partner
Jim has twenty years of business experience in management consulting, R&D line management, marketing, and strategic planning. Jim served Baxter Corporation for nine years in a variety of R&D and marketing positions, Meadox Medicals for six years in product marketing and market development, and Boston Scientific for six years in strategic marketing. Jim holds four medical device patents and has an MS in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

David W. Wagner, Chairman and Founder
David has twenty-five years of management experience and has served as a member of the board of directors for more than twenty companies. Prior to founding the Nova Group, he served as Corporate Vice President for Boston Scientific Corporation and President of Dryvit Systems International (now a division of RPM). David has considerable experience in management consulting and venture capital and holds an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

Nova Group's additional staff reflects prior experience at Cardinal Health, LEK Consulting, Bain & Company, Genzyme, and Baxter, as well as education in biology, engineering, and business. In addition to leveraging a dedicated junior staff, we also augment our own capabilities with a worldwide network of strategic partnerships with individual subject experts and other professional services firms.