DEREK PELLEND - EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Derek Pellend was motivated to join the MDRS team because of his background as an explorer and pursuit of scholarship. He is an Eagle Scout and U.S. Marine, familiar and fascinated with nature. Survival skills, leadership and service are ingrained. After military service, Derek earned a scholarship and a bachelors degree in social sciences at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he helped launch the national Student Veteran program. (SVA) He began a career in education as a high school teacher and model UN coach in Metro Detroit. Derek won a scholarship to pursue a Masters in Education at the University of Southern California. He began working on a multi university education outreach program that interacts with local school administrations in California. He is currently working towards his PhD. in Educational Psychology at Pepperdine University. Derek is engaged in a school gardening initiative in Los Angeles.
Website created by Luis Assardo, Journalist.