President, Veterans Advocacy Group

Derrick Winding is President of Veterans Advocacy Group (VAG) that collaborates with higher ed institutions and veteran-service organizations in support of military and veteran students. Derrick holds a Bachelors in pre-law with a certification in service leadership and Masters degree in professional studies advancing education of those with chronic illnesses from DePaul University. Derrick serves on the Board for the Coalition for Veterans Organizations, DePaul University Chicagoland Alumni Board, member of American Legion Dorie Miller Post, Strike Force and volunteers with the Tuskegee Airmen Youth Flyers Program. As a student leader, Derrick served as the President of DePaul University’s Veterans Advocacy Group from 2006-10 and secured corporate sponsorship and hosted hundreds of attendees to honor Medal of Honor recipients: Buffalo Soldiers, Triple Nickles, and Tuskegee Airmen. The HistoryMakers ceremony and interviews with these men were turned into a short documentary now housed in the Library of Congress and due to this event, DePaul received a half-million-dollar pledge for veterans from a DePaul military alumnus.