About me
Dr. Derrick Gay is a globally recognized Belonging and Intercultural Strategist, dedicated to fostering cultures of dignity and respect. With multifaceted expertise as an international speaker, author, researcher, educator, and university lecturer, Dr. Gay empowers individuals and organizations to deepen belonging and empathy by cultivating shared language, raising awareness, and fostering inclusive personal behaviors and organizational practices and policies.
Drawing from his extensive international experience, Dr. Gay designs meaningful strategies that resonate across a broad range of industries and cultures. His approach, informed by research and practitioner insights leading strategy in over 50 countries, facilitates meaningful connections, well-being, and promotes belonging on a global scale.
Fluent in five languages, Dr. Gay has supported a broad clientele spanning the globe, including over 800 organizations in education, financial services, beauty and fashion, non-profits, and the arts. Beyond international independent schools his clients range from Yale to Oberlin Conservatory, Phantom of the Opera to Tom Ford, The Guggenheim Museum to Barilla — and Sesame Street. Dr Gay is a proud graduate of Oberlin College, where he studied Romance Languages; Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied Opera; Columbia University, where he studied Educational Leadership, and The University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his doctorate in Education.
Previous to consulting, Dr. Gay served as a music and modern language teacher, before transitioning to senior leadership for over 13 years. A lifelong educator with nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Gay has also served as adjunct faculty/lecturer at University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, Parsons Paris, and Teachers College at Columbia University. He also currently serves on the board of MERIT Music School, having previously served on the boards of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Caedmon School, and Greens Farms Academy.
Finally, no stranger to the region, Dr. Gay delivered the inaugural keynote at EDULead 2024 and also delivered a keynote at the EARCOS Leadership Conference in 2023. Moreover, he has led Belonging and Intercultural Competency efforts in the region at American International School Chennai, American School of Bombay, Dalat International School, Fukuoka International School, German European School Singapore, Hong Kong International School, International Schools Association Thailand (ISAT), International School of Bangkok, International School Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta Intercultural School, Nansha College Preparatory Academy, Ruamrudee International School, Seoul International School, Shanghai American School, Sias International School, VERSO International School, Vientiane International School, and right here at Taipei American School for the past two years.
