Welcome Derek Lobo

We are thrilled to welcome Derek Lobo as an Advisory Board member. Derek is a leader whose life story, professional experience, and passion for education and social impact make him an extraordinary addition to our community. 

Born in Uganda and raised in Toronto, Derek’s global perspective was shaped early. After earning his BA from the University of Toronto, he moved to San Diego to pursue his JD at California Western School of Law. Over the next 30 years, Derek built a distinguished career representing small businesses and nonprofit organizations, guiding them through every aspect of their operations. 

But Derek’s contributions reach far beyond his legal expertise. He has volunteered as a soccer coach in San Diego, taught elementary school English in Costa Rica, and served as a board member and legal advisor for numerous charitable organizations. Service, education, and community have always been at the heart of his work. 

In 2019, Derek returned to Toronto with a renewed commitment to supporting young social impact entrepreneurs across the developing world. He now spends much of his time in Uganda and other emerging economies, meeting with entrepreneurs, visiting schools, and listening closely to the needs and challenges facing local communities. His experiences have reinforced a core belief: that education and the sustainable growth of locally owned social impact businesses are key to long-term change. 

For Derek, Sister Schools represents an essential spark in that process. By fostering connections between students, building empathy, and empowering young people with resources and support, he sees our model as “an important first step in building Uganda’s future.” 

Derek has also launched Einstein Rising Canada, a nonprofit organization that shares closes mission alignment with Sister Schools, and dedicated to building connections between students across borders.  

We are honored to have Derek’s insight, leadership, and lived experience on our Advisory Board. His commitment to education, equity, and sustainable development aligns deeply with our mission, and we look forward to the impact we will create together. 

Welcome, Derek—we’re grateful to have you on the team.