about me

I am a design leader, strategist, disruptor, super-duper creative person, and all-around pleasant individual with 20 years working across various design disciplines, Always pushing institutional design-centric thinking.

Extensive experience with design-led initiatives, organizational transformations, strategy, and vision. Business and stakeholder management.

Creation, oversight, and mentorship of design teams. Proven record of design process implementation and evangelism. Cross-functional team unification; bringing together design, tech, sales, and business through team-building workshops. Expert presenter and negotiator; able to forge lasting and effective relationships with strategic partners and build consensus across multiple organizational groups.

Serious about what i do and do it with equal parts determination, pride, and pleasure. i want to effect real and impactful change within organizations. i love what i do and want one thing at this point in my career. to integrate and elevate design as the single most important vehicle toward success.

"Derek is enthusiastic, extremely knowledgeable, and fantastic to work with. Moreover, he'll take any idea or concept and take it to a level you never imagined. He brought about long-lasting change to Orion during his time with us."

jeff piazza // sr. vp, design // orion

"Not only did Derek provide a much needed vision and strategy refresh for our people products and help unify our teams; he also brought a new energy and enthusiasm to the group."

nadine welch / sr. crm dir. / mckinsey

thoughts & ideas

(coming soon)