Derek Chechak, PhD, RSW, is the Director of Quality Improvement and Crisis Services at St. Leonard's Community Services, a Registered Social Worker, a Sessional Instructor with the School of Social Work at Memorial University, and a member of the Standards of Practice Committee at the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). He earned his BA, BSW (Hons.), and MSW degrees from King’s University College at Western University, a PhD from Memorial University, and a Certificate in Labour Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.

As a past Social Work Practice Leader and organizational consultant in the employee assistance industry, Dr. Chechak worked with employers in many sectors including municipal government, emergency health services, insurance, post-secondary education, manufacturing, technology, food production, and public utilities. Working closely with leaders and human resource departments, he provided group training, conducted workplace violence assessments, advised on team-based conflicts, and supported individual employees experiencing mental health crises.