Biography
Derek Vigar is an award-winning professor, recognized Project Management professional, active consultant, rookie author and passionate speaker.
As a faculty member with the Centre for Business, Derek leads the Advanced Project Management Diploma (B126/B156), as well as teaches in the Project Management Post-Graduate Certificate (B415). Over the past 16 years, Derek has taught over 6,000 students, who consistently share (through course feedback) that he is a dynamic speaker, dedicated mentor, and deserving of one of the colleges top teacher effectiveness ratings. Derek has been recognized with the College Achievement Award in Innovation for his efforts.
As an actively practicing professional, Derek is often contracted to provide project management leadership. Derek has delivered projects for 40 organizations including Colleges Ontario, University Health Network, Manulife Financial, Interbew, Ontario Heads of Applied Research, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Arthur Andersen Business Consulting. He has built a successful practice by being a compelling hands-on professional who invigorates projects with expertise, experiences and, of course, a little fun along the way.
Academic Credentials
Project Management Professional (PMP®), Project Management Institute, 2017
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, Wilfrid Laurier University, 1998
Areas of Specialization
Project Management
Areas of Expertise
Project Start Up
Program Monitoring & Execution
Project Communication
Stakeholder Engagement & Management
Business Consulting
Post Secondary Teaching & Learning
Public Speaking
Career Highlights
The Toronto 2015 Pan Am & Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee. Derek’s hands-on leadership role in Games Operations Planning & the Main Operations Centre facilitated the games-time communication, risk escalation and status reporting command centre across the entire games footprint; contributing towards the successful delivery of Canada’s largest ever multi-sport mega project
Implemented a federally-funded pilot program of 60 language training courses across 14 Ontario colleges (www.co-oslt.org)
Facilitated cross-disciplinary senior and tactical work groups across an Ontario college to implement institution-wide tactics that improve student retention
Advocated a "Prof-preneur™" culture within Higher Education through a series of high profile speaking engagements
Co-created & co-authored a book where 25 of North America's best project manager’s share their keys to success (www.thekeystooursuccess.com)
Awards
College Innovation Achievement Award, George Brown College, 2012
Wilfrid Laurier University Student of the Year, Wilfrid Laurier University, 1998
