DEREK KWIK '86
Bob Christian Alumnus of the Year Award
The Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award was established in 2006 during the school’s 40th Anniversary to recognize the tremendous service of Bob Christian, the first HKIS Head of School 1966-1977.
The award is presented annually to the Alumnus/Alumna making a significant contribution to the HKIS community, their local community or the broader community and bettering the lives of those around them while living our Mission Statement and Student Learning Results (SLRs).
The award is presented annually to the Alumnus/Alumna making a significant contribution to the HKIS community, their local community or the broader community and bettering the lives of those around them while living our Mission Statement and Student Learning Results (SLRs).
It is truly an honor to share that Derek Kwik ‘86 is this year’s recipient of the Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award. Derek is a familiar face around HKIS and is being recognized for his many years of service and dedication to our alumni community, to HKIS, as well as his contributions to several non-profit organizations in Hong Kong.
A long-time leader in the local tech startup industry, Derek has provided countless mentoring and internship opportunities for our young alumni and high school students. He is a mentor and advisor to local startup incubators, served on the Board of the HKIS HK Chapter-Alumni Association, and was the Co-Chairman and Trustee for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) 2012-2023. Currently, Derek serves as the Vice-Chairman of Junior Achievement Hong Kong (JA HK) and is a board member of the American Club Foundation (ACF) which provides financial support to the most at need NGOs in Hong Kong.
A long-time leader in the local tech startup industry, Derek has provided countless mentoring and internship opportunities for our young alumni and high school students. He is a mentor and advisor to local startup incubators, served on the Board of the HKIS HK Chapter-Alumni Association, and was the Co-Chairman and Trustee for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) 2012-2023. Currently, Derek serves as the Vice-Chairman of Junior Achievement Hong Kong (JA HK) and is a board member of the American Club Foundation (ACF) which provides financial support to the most at need NGOs in Hong Kong.
Derek Kwik, his wife Desirée, and their three children attending the PFO Pumpkin Festival.
Derek became an alumni parent in 2020 when his twin daughters Caroline and Dakota joined HKIS in Reception 1 (R1), and he has been serving on the Lower Primary Advisory Group (PAG). His youngest child, son Dashiell, is thrilled to be joining his big sisters’ school this coming fall in R1. In addition to being a busy parent, Derek is an accomplished ultra-marathoner, a professional motivational speaker, a gourmet chef, and a writer. He authored two books from which all proceeds went to charity: Kwik Fix and The Kwik Adventures of Baxter Brave & Tommy the Salami, which he has read to Lower Primary students as a “mystery reader”. He also appears in the introduction to the Lower Primary School tour video.
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“You are a tremendous example of committing your life to service and contributing positively to those around you, our community and to society while living our Mission Statement and Student Learning Results,” says Dr. Ron Roukema, Interim Head of School, about Derek Kwik.
Derek’s positive attitude, endless energy, and willingness to support the school are inspiring. He has been a guest speaker at HKIS on several occasions talking about the power of making a difference in your community. It’s clear that Derek practices what he preaches! Congratulations Derek, and thanks for everything you do on behalf of HKIS and the greater community.
READ DEREK KWIK'S MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE
UPCOMING GRADUATION ISSUE!
UPCOMING GRADUATION ISSUE!