Originally from Boone, North Carolina, Derek is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and producer based in Los Angeles. His work has taken him around the world, directing and producing feature documentaries as well as content for a wide range of organizations. 

In 2021, Derek produced his first feature documentary, In the Dark of the Valley. The film earned multiple Best Documentary awards on the festival circuit, was acquired by MSNBC and Peacock, and was nominated for Outstanding Social Issue Documentary at the 43rd annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards in 2022.

In May 2026, No Place for Football premiered at the Doclands Documentary Film Festival before landing on Apple TV. Set in Greenland, the film marked Derek's second feature documentary and his co-directorial debut. The film received significant media attention, including coverage from The Guardian, Sky News, and CNN.

Derek’s happiest where curiosity, storytelling, and adventure intersect - Ideally somewhere between an Indiana Jones expedition and a Walter Mitty daydream.