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Derrin Slack, PMP // Founder & CEO

While on a college mission trip to Botswana, Africa, Derrin, experienced the power of giving back to others and wondered how his life would have been different had he been exposed to service at a younger age. This led to the founding of ProAct and what it is today. With a strong background in nonprofit management and research, training, and leadership, Derrin acts as the conduit between the needs of the community, and the individuals, partners, sponsors, and students that engage with ProAct. Under his leadership, the organization has engaged over 25,000 boys and girls, community leaders, and business professionals to value intentional community engagement and appreciate diversity and equity as an integral part of their lives. He has trained all over Indianapolis and in such countries as Ireland, Ethiopia, Mali, Mexico, and the UK; and in many cities in the United States.

Derrin can be reached at derrin@proactindy.org or 317.939.6616.

Awards & Accolades in Nonprofit Leadership

  • 2021 Volunteer Program of the Year Award, Serve Indiana

  • 2020 Indiana Youth Institute Youth Worker of the Year Award

  • 2020 One in a Million Award, Awarded by Multiplying Good for kind and heroic acts of service.

  • 2019 Indianapolis Business Journal’s Top Forty Under 40 Award, Awarded by the Indianapolis Business Journal

  • 2018 Community Impact Award, Awarded by the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and Governor of Indiana

  • 2018 Jefferson Awards Foundation Award Recipient

  • 2018-19 Indy Progressive Rotary Club President

  • 2017 Indy’s Best and Brightest Finalist, Junior Achievement honors 100 of central Indiana’s most outstanding young professionals

  • 2017 Exchange Leadership Fellow, Young professional fellowship of the Indianapolis Urban League

  • 2016 Journey Fellow, Yearlong fellowship to provide professional development, networking, and education to youth workers

  • 2016 Minority Achievement Award Winner, Awarded by Center for Leadership Development for Human Achievement

  • 2015-2017 Service-Learning Interdisciplinary Cohort, Participated in a two-year fellowship with colleagues at the University of Indianapolis to develop and implement an effective service-learning model leveraging the resources and expertise of university faculty in Modern Languages and Nursing

  • 2015 Power of Peace Award Recipient, Awarded by the Peace Learning Center for promoting peace in Indianapolis

  • 2014 Business Ownership Initiative’s FastTrac Growth Venture for Nonprofits, a 10-week course facilitated by Bryan Orander of Charitable Advisors that taught a select few nonprofit leaders in Indianapolis about effectively managing their organizations

  • 2014 Heart of a Father Award Recipient, Awarded by the Fathers and Families Center for the fulfillment of the 4 dimensions of fatherhood: Involvement, Consistency, Awareness, and Nurturance

  • 2014 Power of Peace Award Nominee, Awarded by the Peace Learning Center for promoting peace in Indianapolis

  • 2012 ROSE Award Nominee, Awarded by the city of Indianapolis for outstanding customer service and character

Community Involvement & Certifications

  • Project Management Professional Certification, Project Management Institute (2021-2024)
  • Podcast Host, Stood in the Gap Podcast (2020-Present)
  • Board Member, We Bloom (2021-Present)

  • Board Member, Nexus Impact Center (2020-Present)

  • Board Member, YOU YES YOU Project (2020-Present)

  • Board Member, Westminster Neighborhood Services (2019-Present)

  • United Way of Central Indiana Leadership United Program (2021)

  • Global Good Fund LEAP Program (2020)

  • Mali, West Africa Goalkeepers Program Co-Creator & Training Facilitator (2019)

  • New Orleans, LA Service Trip with ProAct Indy Youth (2018)

  • Catch the Stars Foundation, Board Member (2018-19)

  • Galway, Ireland, International Symposium on Service-Learning, Speaker/Presenter (2017)

  • Omaha, Nebraska, Engagement Scholarship Consortium Speaker/Presenter (2016)

  • Israel/Palestine Missions Trip (2016)

  • New York City, New York Service Trip (2015)

  • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa Missions Trip (2014)

  • New Orleans, LA Service Trip (2009, 2010)

  • Maun, Botswana, Africa Missions Trip (2008)

Join Our Team

Are you passionate about our community? Are you dedicated to making a difference? Join us as we empower youth and build Proactive Communities.

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