​

Dr. Dereck L. Faulkner, Ph.D., is a scholar-practitioner, former professional athlete, and nonprofit leader whose journey began in a U.S. military hospital in West Germany. Born to two decorated military officers—his father, a U.S. Army Captain, and his mother, a Retired Major with a distinguished 20-year service career—Dereck was raised in a household rooted in service, discipline, and leadership.

​

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Hampton University, where he excelled as a student-athlete. A four-year starter on the football team, he was a three-time MEAC All-Academic honoree and a key contributor to a nationally ranked Division I-AA program that claimed 3x MEAC Conference Championships and was named 2004, 2005, and 2006 National Black College Football Championships.

 

In 2007, Dereck launched his professional football career as a priority rookie free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles, later spending time with several NFL organizations and in the Canadian Football League. Off the field, he was elected to the NFLPA's Former Player Advisory Board and twice served as Chapter President within the NFL Players Association, championing initiatives that support the development and well-being of former players.

 

In 2011, driven by a passion to serve those who serve, he founded The Athletes For Vets Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering veterans and underserved communities through education, mentorship, and outreach.

 

Dereck earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business in 2013, with a concentration in Strategic Marketing and Nonprofit Management. He completed his Ph.D. in Designing Sustainable Systems at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management in May 2025, with a concentration in Executive Leadership and Organizational Development. His research explores leadership, mentorship, and career transitions among professional athletes, particularly within the NFL and professional sports.

 

Dr. Dereck L. Faulkner’s journey is a powerful testament to service, leadership, and impact. From championship fields to academic halls and community frontlines, he continues to bridge the worlds of sport, service, and sustainable change.

​