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Derek Washburn » Derek Washburn

Derek Washburn

Derek joins Charlotte Lab School after serving in both PreK-12 and higher education for over 25 years, most recently as the Director of The Royals Club for the Queens University of Charlotte Athletic Department. During his time at Queens University, he was instrumental in increasing philanthropic support for Royal student-athletes from $197,000 to over $1.2 million per year. This success came from building relationships with alumni and community members as well as lifting up all transformational things that Queens University does for its students. Derek is excited to be able to now lift up the mission of Charlotte Lab throughout the Greater Charlotte Community.

Before working at Queens University, Derek served as a classroom teacher for 14 years, most recently serving as the social studies department chair here in Charlotte at South Mecklenburg High School. Prior to moving to Charlotte in August 2019, Derek served as the Director of Business for a New York State UPK program in Endicott, NY for 7 years. While in Upstate NY he also served as the Operations Director for the Compassion Builders Ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Endicott (NY) where he led efforts to partner with other non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to support individuals and families in need of home repairs that were vital to their safety and security. In this position he had great success building relationships with corporate and individual donors as well as curating a strong volunteer pool.
 
Born and raised in the Greater Houston Area of Texas, Derek graduated from Texas A&M University and in his free time can be found enjoying the North Carolina mountains or exploring Charlotte with wife, Erin, and their two sons, William and Davis. Fun fact about Derek is that he has been a sports official for over 28 years, including 4 different sports collegiately, and currently still keeps busy officiating NCAA Women’s Lacrosse throughout the Southeast region of the United States every spring!