Derek Johnson is Managing Director of the Research Collaborative, a narrative strategy hub for progressive local, state, and national organizations working to realize the promise of a truly equitable, multi-racial democracy. Prior to joining RC, Derek served as Managing Partner of Global Zero, a Nobel-nominated initiative for nuclear disarmament powered by hundreds of world leaders, luminaries, and experts. He has more than 15 years of experience bridging full-spectrum advocacy campaigns, brand and narrative strategy, social movement infrastructure, and organizational design. In addition to a keen understanding of changemaking and a knack for building high-trust relationships across the cultural spectrum, Derek is adept at navigating complexity and keeping people oriented toward an expansive view of what’s possible. Having worked alongside visionaries and pragmatists alike, he knows what it takes to operationalize big ideas, maintain alignment and accountability, and adapt without losing the plot as new challenges and opportunities emerge. Derek is a member of the Munich Young Leaders group of rising experts in foreign and security policy, organized jointly by Körber Foundation and the Munich Security Conference, and a member of the European Young Leaders group, organized by Friends of Europe to tackle the increasing disconnects between citizens and political elites and rebuild trust in democratic institutions. In 2016, he co-founded and launched Beyond the Bomb, a national grassroots operation focused on centering justice and equity in disarmament advocacy. In 2021, the National Iranian American Council named Derek one of 40 under 40 Iranian Americans who have “inspired, trail-blazed, and made a lasting impact in the world.”Derek is a recognized expert on global security issues and has been quoted or published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Newsweek, CNN, BBC News, The Nation, Politico, NBC, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Vox, Kommersant, Time Magazine, Der Spiegel, Mother Jones, Pacific Standard, The Hill, The Independent, Mic, and more. He is a recovering attorney and graduate of Cornell College and Boston College Law School.