I’m Derek.
Perpetually curious. Spontaneous in the way that keeps life interesting. Hard-working in a way that makes it hard to turn off. Detail-oriented and big-picture at the same time — I can zoom into the pixels and zoom out to the business model without losing either one.
I care about people. I'm empathetic by nature, which is probably why I ended up in a field that's fundamentally about understanding what other humans actually need. I advocate fiercely for my sister, who has special needs, and that experience has shaped how I think about design more than any job I've ever had.
Outside of work, you'll find me fly fishing, snowboarding, exploring cities I've never been to, eating things I can't pronounce, or spending time with family and friends. I studied Sociology and Business at James Madison University — Go Dukes! — which probably explains why I think about products the way I do: less about pixels, more about people and systems.
I'm a Staff Product Designer at Expedia Group, building AI-native products that make people's lives measurably easier. If you want to talk about work, ideas, or play, please reach out.