At Orchestra, Derris works closely with founders and executive teams navigating expansion, reinvention and increased scrutiny. He helps them define what is essential to their identity and build from that center as they scale. That approach shapes how the firm builds enduring partnerships and helps organizations create impact that lasts.

Derris began his career in political communications before moving into senior agency leadership. In 2013, he founded Derris, a consultancy built on the conviction that brand and communications belong at the center of business strategy. The firm became a trusted advisor to generation-defining companies including Warby Parker, Glossier, SKIMS, Hims and Starface. Working directly with founders, he helped shape identity early and create narrative architectures designed to support long-term expansion. The firm earned recognition from PRWeek and PRovoke Media for creative and strategic excellence.

In 2022, Derris integrated his consultancy into Orchestra, extending that brand-led philosophy into a broader enterprise built for modern organizations. The integration expanded his scope from shaping individual companies to influencing how a full-service advisory and marketing agency competes in a converging landscape.

Beyond Orchestra, Derris remains closely connected to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He is Founder and Managing Member of Amity Supply, a venture firm investing in early-stage consumer companies, and has invested in and advised more than 120 businesses. He serves as Advisor-in-Residence at Columbia University’s Entrepreneurship Program and sits on the Board of Visitors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Derris has been named to PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” in recognition of his leadership in brand communications. He holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.