Derek Chen is the Chief Equity and Assessment Officer at the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), on secondment from the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), where he served as Superintendent of Equity, Diversity, Indigenous Education, and Community Relations. With both organizations, Derek has been responsible for setting the strategic direction and implementation of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) plans and policies.

At the TCDSB, Derek co-created the first TCDSB Equity Action Plan and oversaw a number of historic initiatives for the board, including the creation of a 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, the proclamation of Pride Month, and the creation of the Black Voices Project – an initiative aimed at dismantling anti-Black racism. He chaired a number of community advisory committees, including the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee.

At EQAO, Derek leads the Equity team, oversees the Equity Multi-Year Plan, and co-chairs the EQAO Employee Experience and Equity Committee. He supports the enhancement of EDI on EQAO’s large-scale assessments and provides professional learning for staff. In addition, Derek and team established a First Nations Collaborative Council, a Black Communities Collaborative Council, networks for Métis and Inuit communities, and a First Nations Data Stewardship Advisory Committee. Derek also oversees the recently re-launched Mathematics Proficiency Test for teacher certification in Ontario.