Derniel is an international development professional who has 5 years experience in designing, planning, implementing, managing, monitoring and evaluating multidisciplinary programs. He has a passion for development work that is meant to validate, give access, and empower people. He has worked in wide variety of sectors, including student affairs, career development, public health, community development, workforce development, youth development, and higher education sectors. He has also served a consulting statistician and researcher. Prior to coming DI, Derniel worked as a Program Manager on the USAID Advance Program in Jamaica.

Derniel has BSc. in Psychology and Human Resource Management, and a MSc. in Applied Psychology from the University of the West Indies, Mona. Additionally, he has a certification in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEALDPro).