Derek Turner

Derek Turner is a technologist, activist, and self-described "little 'd' democrat" who has worked in various roles related to politics, technology, and democracy.1 Here are some key details about his background and experience:

Professional Experience

Derek Turner served as a Senior Product Manager at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) from March 2020 to October 2021.1 In this role, he:

• Managed software development and led product strategy for NDI's DemTools suite
• Created product roadmaps and planned feature development
• Oversaw software engineering efforts
• Ensured tools were accessible and localized for NDI partners globally

Previous Roles

Before joining NDI, Derek held several other positions in the political technology and data analytics space:

• Data Scientist at Change Research (2018)
• Director of Media Analytics at The Messina Group (2017-2018)
• Director of Product Development at Analytics Media Group (2015-2016)
• Director of Media Analytics at BlueLabs (2013-2014)
• Product Manager at the Democratic National Committee (2011-2012)

Education and Skills

Derek Turner holds a BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University, which he obtained between 1998 and 2003.2 His skill set includes:

• Project management
• Elections expertise
• Data analysis and visualization
• Product development and strategy
• Software engineering management

Personal Interests

Derek describes himself as passionate about election systems and making democracy work.1 He is an advocate for changing the two-party system in the United States, using the hashtag #DisruptTheDuopoly and referring to himself as "politically non-binary".1

Derek Turner's diverse experience in political technology, data science, and democracy-focused organizations has shaped his career as a technologist working to improve democratic processes and systems.