Strategic Partnerships & Thought Leadership
Derria L. Ford has partnered with leading organizations, nonprofits, and industry experts to advance ethical storytelling, inclusive leadership, and strengths-based strategies in fundraising and advocacy.
Her work includes collaborations with national conferences, virtual panels, and thought leadership initiatives, where she has shared insights on authenticity, dignity, and equity in narrative-building. Through these engagements, Derria has contributed to shaping conversations that drive meaningful change in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
Notable Collaborations
Creating Departmental Framework for Ethical Storytelling
This session advocates for ethical storytelling, emphasizing authenticity, inclusivity, and empathy. It outlines guidelines to ensure integrity, diversity, respect for privacy, avoidance of harm, and empowerment. Fostering a socially conscious narrative
landscape aims to inspire positive societal change and a more equitable, compassionate world.Narratives With Integrity: Strategies for Anonymous Storytelling
Derria L. Ford, Chief Advancement Officer at Martha O’Bryan Center, served as a panelist for the MemoryFox Special Event on February 5, 2025 at Led by MemoryFox’s Chris Miano, the discussion explored strategies for navigating tough storytelling challenges. Derria, alongside a panel of experienced professionals, shared valuable insights on ethical storytelling, communications, and advocacy.
Derria served as a panelist, discussing ethical storytelling in fundraising. She emphasized best practices that ensure authenticity, dignity, and inclusivity in narratives used to inspire donor engagement.
Using Strengths-Based Leadership to Increase the Productivity of Multiracial, Multigenerational Teams
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This session explored how diverse teams can achieve higher productivity by applying strength-based leadership strategies.
Creating a Culture for Compassionate and Ethical Storytelling-
Derria highlighted how fundraisers can build trust and deepen impact by using stories that empower and respect the people they serve.
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Strength-Based Leadership in Legal Advocacy Organizations
Emphasizing strategies for managing diverse teams and fostering an inclusive organizational culture that supports client-centered advocacy.
Derria spoke on Inclusive Leadership and Ethical Storytelling for nonprofit professionals, sharing how organizations can create narratives that inspire donor engagement while respecting the dignity of their clients and communities served.
Derria was featured on a podcast where she shared insights on storytelling best practices, focusing on how ethical and inclusive narratives can enhance donor engagement and strengthen organizational values.
Using Strengths-Based Leadership to Increase the Productivity of a Multigenerational Team
Offering strategies to enhance collaboration and productivity in organizations by leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives of each generation.
Derria presented on Building Inclusive Teams in Nonprofit Organizations, focusing on how leaders can foster diversity, equity, and inclusion through strategic leadership practices, including ethical storytelling and strengths-based approaches.
Stay Connected
Bring authenticity, expertise, and impact to your event with Derria’s dynamic keynotes, panels, and workshops. Whether for a nonprofit conference, corporate retreat, university event, or leadership summit, she delivers actionable insights that inspire real change.
Stay Connected and Book Derria Today!