Board of Directors
Meet the Board of Directors
Derek Everett is a Senior Vice President of Finance at Fiserv, Inc., where he leads global strategy and execution for settlement operations. Over his three-decade career in the technology industry, he has held senior leadership roles across several Fortune 500 companies, including McKesson, Hewlett-Packard, and NCR Corporation.
Derek brings extensive experience in strategy, operational excellence, and financial stewardship to his board service. A passionate advocate for education and intentional goal setting for K–12 students, he is honored to serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Walker’s Winners, Inc., helping guide the organization’s mission, governance, and long-term impact.
Chandrika Pleasants is a data governance professional with experience developing, maintaining, and continuously improving corporate governance frameworks. Known for her collaborative approach and strong problem‑solving skills, she is passionate about using data‑informed insights to support thoughtful decision‑making and positive outcomes.
As a parent and educational advocate, Chandrika brings a deep appreciation for the many ways students learn and thrive. She believes strongly that education should meet children where they are, including those in Montessori, outdoor, private, cooperative, and homeschool environments. Chandrika is excited to serve on the board of Walker’s Winners and is committed to ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to soar.
Joe Rogers is a community‑development leader with deep roots in St. Louis and a lifelong commitment to expanding access to high‑quality learning opportunities. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Total Equity Now (TEN), a Harlem‑based nonprofit dedicated to advancing literacy, literary culture, and educational justice. In addition to his nonprofit leadership, Joe also works as a consultant in education and economic development.
A long-time community advocate, Joe is committed to bringing together residents, educators, and partners to strengthen educational opportunity and cultural engagement. As a member of the Walker’s Winners Board of Directors, Joe is honored to contribute his experience and passion to helping young people thrive.
Terrence Rogers is a St. Louis native and transformational banking leader with nearly 30 years of experience opening doors to financial opportunity and homeownership. Terrence held leadership positions at Wells Fargo and Regions Bank before becoming President of Community Lending and Partner at Carrollton Bank, where he has led innovative lending partnerships that have helped more than 1,500 families achieve the dream of owning a home and of building generational wealth.
Terrence’s dedication to service is reflected in his longstanding involvement with Kappa Alpha Psi, 100 Black Men, NAREB, and youth‑focused initiatives such as HomeGrown STL. Terrence is a devoted educator, husband, and father who is inspired by the mission of Walker’s Winners. As a member of the Board of Directors, he brings his passion for empowerment and community investment to helping young people build confidence, skills, and a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Derek Walker is a retired IT executive and strategist with more than 30 years of experience leading product development, engineering, and organizational transformation across global technology organizations. Over the course of his career at Hyland Software, McKesson Enterprise Information Solutions, and AT&T | BellSouth, Derek built a reputation for connecting business strategy with effective technology execution while fostering strong, people‑centered teams.
Derek holds a Master of Science in Information Networking from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from MIT. He is excited to serve on the Walker’s Winners Board of Directors, where he is committed to encouraging and equipping the next generation of leaders. Through a combination of athletic and academic tools, Derek is passionate about inspiring young people to develop a lifelong love of learning.
Katrina M. Walker is the co-founder and Executive Director of Walker’s Winners. She has over 25 years of experience in education and civic leadership. In addition to teaching, Katrina has worked as an International Baccalaureate Coordinator, National Honor Society Adviser, Department Chair, Charter School Steering Committee Chair, and Girl Scout Troop Leader and Cookie Manager.
Katrina began her career in education managing two school sites as a Hands On Atlanta/AmeriCorps Team Leader. Working at an alternative school and a career academy, she saw firsthand both the needs and the realized potential of students, as well as the power of opportunity and resources to bridge the gap. She is thrilled to be working with this dynamic board and with community partners to empower young people.