PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Derek L. Tyus, Bus Ad ’91
Wauwatosa, Wis.
Derek chose Marquette to stay close to home, and his Marquette experience helped to deepen his roots and grow as a servant leader in the greater Milwaukee community. Derek credits his parents, James and Mary, with giving him the foundation that set him up for success as a first-generation college student. “They provided a God-centered home environment that shaped my character and moral code,” he says. “They believed in education and industry, instilled a strong work ethic and taught me to always treat others with respect and compassion.”
As vice president and chief investment officer at West Bend Mutual, Derek has built on his upbringing and now enjoys the ability to make decisions that add value to the organization. He credits his Marquette experience with fortifying his moral guidebook through Jesuit principles and learning to be a “man for others.”
In addition to his leadership role at West Bend Mutual, Derek prioritizes living the Marquette mission by contributing his time, talents and treasure to organizations that support people through challenges. He serves on the boards of several nonprofits, including the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Siebert Lutheran Foundation, Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.
Derek also serves as the board chair for Black Arts Fest MKE, a newly imagined and recently reintroduced festival celebrating African and African American culture.
Fun Facts:
Name someone (past or present) you’d like to have dinner with:
“I would love to have a dinner party with Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Barack Obama,” he says.
Name a Marquette faculty or staff member who had an impact on you:
“There were many, but three really stand out,” Derek says. “Sande Robinson, director of the Educational Opportunity Program, who made sure that a first-generation college student had all of the resources and support necessary to graduate from Marquette; Economics Professor Dr. Noreen Lephardt, who saw something in me, boosted my confidence and challenged me to pursue excellence; and Accounting Professor Dr. Michael Akers, who opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that could result from pursuing a career in accounting.”