Derek de Vries

About Derek de Vries

At 18, Derek started his career in the Defense sector, where he served in various special units. As a leader and special forces medic, he was deployed multiple times to conflict zones. After leaving the Defense, he worked for several years as a crisis and security consultant, executing assignments in various high-risk countries.

Thanks to his unique background, Derek has a profound understanding of stress resilience, decision-making under pressure, resilience, and effectively leading teams in demanding situations.

During his lectures and workshops, he shares insights on:

• Leadership under pressure: How do you remain effective and decisive in stressful situations?
• Team dynamics and collaboration: How do you build a resilient and well-functioning team?
• Mental strength and focus: How do you develop a strong mindset to think clearly and perform under pressure?
• Safety and risk management: How can individuals, companies, and organizations optimally prepare for emergencies?
• Mental resilience: How do you train yourself and your team to better cope with setbacks and challenges?

As a leader, I was tested multiple times during deployments, where nighttime and covert operations were disrupted by gunfire and roadside bombs. Sometimes very stressful situations from which I learned a great deal.

Derek is the founder of ‘Be Prepared’, an initiative to better prepare the Netherlands for emergencies, such as prolonged power outages, incidents at home or on the road, and to be ready for a disaster or major crisis. “In the Netherlands, we are extremely reactive when it comes to emergencies, if we even react at all; generally, we are insufficiently prepared and proactive. With ‘Be Prepared’, I aim to get as many people as possible moving to better prepare themselves and their surroundings for an incident, disaster, or crisis. I do this in a straightforward and realistic Dutch manner.”

With over 20 years of experience in the special units of Defense, in business, and the public sector, he knows better than anyone how to perform optimally under pressure. Derek is known for his expertise in team dynamics, leadership, and mental resilience. His sessions are not only inspiring but also provide directly applicable insights for practice.

Thanks to his experience speaking for ministries, educational institutions, and large organizations, Derek knows how to convey complex issues in a clear and accessible manner. His insights help teams and leaders become more resilient and better prepared for unforeseen situations.

What makes Derek unique?

• Unique insights from the special units of Defense and international operations
• Practical and interactive approach with immediately applicable strategies
• Extensive experience speaking for various organizations and governments

Derek is available to cover the topics below or a combination of them. He can also supplement with an interactive workshop if desired.