Derria Ford

Derria Ford, MBA, Ed.D has a diverse and extensive work experience. Their most recent role was as the Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Martha O'Bryan Center since October 2023. Prior to that, they spent ten years at Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, where they held various positions including Deputy Director of Development and Community Engagement, Deputy Director of Communications and Community Engagement, and Grant & Contracts Administrator. Between 2011 and 2013, they worked at Meharry Medical College as a Budget Analyst and Interim Fiscal Officer. Derria also has experience working as an Adjunct Instructor and Program Coordinator at Middle Tennessee State University, Program Coordinator at Scholar Identity Institute, Human Resources Intern at Cotton State Insurance, Worksite Supervisor at Mid Cumberland Human Resource Agency, and Registration Assistant at Randstad. Earlier in their career, they completed a Business Management Internship at INROADS. Throughout their career, they have demonstrated their skills in development, community engagement, communications, budget analysis, and program coordination.

Derria Ford has a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), which they obtained from 2003 to 2007. Derria later pursued a Masters of Business Administration in Management from Middle Tennessee State University from 2007 to 2009. Derria Ford also holds a Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) degree in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. In 2023, they obtained additional certifications from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) Leadership Institute and was honored as a listee by Marquis Who's Who.