Derek Jenks joined The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) in February 2025 as director of development events and activities. He brings over 20 years of experience in event management, with degrees in hospitality and business management, specializing in meeting planning and organization. He has extensive knowledge of the meeting planning industry, as well as the logistics and execution of large-scale plenary productions and exhibitions.
Before joining TFAS, Derek held senior-level operations management roles with event planning firms and large associations. He has managed high-profile events in collaboration with organizations such as CNN, ESPN, ABC, the Office of the President of the United States and Disney.
Derek is an active member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Meeting Planners International (MPI), and the Society of Government Meeting Planners (SGMP).