In a recent column of The Detroit News, columnist Karen Dumas highlighted Derek’s networking philosophy: Connect, don’t just collect contacts. “Networking elevates ourselves, our families, and our communities, as it is the platform for solving problems,” Derek told Dumas. He encourages people to foster authentic, meaningful connections that can reap enormous benefits both to you and your connection. The conversation appeared exclusively in the opinion section of the print edition of The Detroit News and is available to paid                subscribers here.