Driven by a desire for freedom and a better future for his family, Derek left Poland and immigrated to Canada from a refugee camp in Austria with his wife and 18-month-old daughter. He arrived without speaking any English, but with hope, courage, and an unwavering belief that a better life was possible.

That dream was shattered by a workplace injury that left him permanently disabled and struggling with PTSD. He lost his health, identity, and sense of direction, but he refused to be defined by adversity. Instead, he chose to rebuild.

From that difficult beginning, Derek earned a Bachelor of Social Work, built a career in disability and rehabilitation, and founded Diversified Rehabilitation Group Inc., a multidisciplinary company dedicated to helping injured workers, first responders, veterans, and organizations recover from trauma and rebuild stronger. He later completed a Master’s degree in Military Psychology and is now pursuing doctoral studies in Psychotherapy and Counselling.

His journey is more than resilience; it is a compelling demonstration of leadership under pressure, the transformation of adversity into strategic purpose, and the disciplined pursuit of impact. It is, at its core, a story of rising from the ashes and building something stronger, more meaningful, and enduring.