Derrick K. Willis, MPA, in 2019 assumed the leadership of Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) within University of Iowa Health Care. For the past year, he has served as the interim director. Willis has been instrumental in helping lead and support the UCEDD’s work in reaching under-served populations. He has played a key role in their diversity efforts and helping to lead their Money Follows the Person work as the associate director for the Iowa UCEDD.

Prior to joining CDD, Willis served as director of urban mission at the Institute for Human Development, Missouri’s UCEDD, at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Willis’s background includes 32 years’ experience working at local not-for-profits, state government, and higher education. Most of his career has centered on working with youth and families from diverse backgrounds living in urban communities. He brings experience in mental health, substance and alcohol abuse treatment and prevention, violence prevention, education transition, employment, and cultural competency.