Derrick is recognized as a leading researcher and advisor on global social movements and issues, and his work is regularly cited by such outlets as Forbes, Fast Company and The Wall Street Journal and as a reliable source of data on today’s cause engagement.

He is the author on three books, The Corporate Social Mind: How Companies Lead Social Change From the Inside Out, published by Fast Company Press, Social Movements for Good: How Companies and Causes Create Viral Change and Cause for Change: The Why and How of Nonprofit Millennial Engagement.

He leads the research team for Influencing Young America to Act, a study of how young adults (18-30) are influenced by and influence others to support social issues and movements. In addition, he leads the research team for Movement of Movements, a comprehensive global research initiative on social movements at the Skoll Centre at Oxford University. During the prior 10 years, he led the research team for the Millennial Impact Project with The Case Foundation, producing the comprehensive Millennial Impact Reports on how the generation has engaged with causes from varying perspectives.

Derrick currently splits his time between INFLUENCE|SG and the Ad Council. He is Managing Director of INFLUENCE|SG, a social issue, campaign and movement research and advisory firm, and is the Managing Director of the Ad Council Research Institute and Ad Council Edge, where he oversees public research studies on pressing issues affecting Americans.

Derrick holds the position of Visiting Research Fellow and teaches at the Impact Lab at the Skoll Centre, Saïd Business School, Oxford University. He is a member of the Ad Council’s Advisory Committee and on the Board of Trustees at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and a regular contributor to Philanthropy News Digest.