About Me

For over 15 years, I’ve helped ambitious organizations scale with clarity—launching platforms used by millions, building lean marketplaces, and modernizing digital infrastructure across five continents.

As a global product and design leader, I’ve led and scaled cross-functional teams in Qatar, Turkey, and Iraq. Since returning to Minnesota in 2021, I’ve worked as a consultant, supporting early-stage ventures across AI, voice, and marketplace technology. My background spans product management, UX, engineering, and marketing—giving me the range to bring structure, focus, and momentum to complex initiatives.

Outside of tech, I run a small leather goods workshop in Istanbul, where I design and handcraft artisanal bags and accessories for modern professionals.

  • "Derrick has a lot of insight to offer and grasped how media could work effectively in voice much earlier than most others."

    — Bret Kinsella, Editor, Voicebot.ai

  • “The attendees really loved the workshop, and are eager to put into practice what they've learned from you.”

    — Valer Kot, MDIF, Czech Republic

  • "It was a real pleasure to be at your workshop and to learn something new. It definitely helps me to understand the whole product we create."

    — Andy Samofalov, Liga.net, Ukraine

  • "I had the opportunity to listen to your presentations at Agora on Monday and Tuesday. They were impressive - huge amount of knowledge and practice put in very structured way."

    — Tomasz Bienias, Agora, Poland

  • "I've worked for Derrick on a couple of projects on enabling citizen journalism platforms in Kenya and Ghana. He is really visionary on how to expand the way news channels can get new sources of information from the field."

    — Stephane Boyera, World Wide Web Foundation

Accolades and Media Coverage