THE KINDNESS CROWD

Derek Nelson

Derek Nelson was born and raised in Utah.  Gifted with an abundance of curiosity, he grew up exploring the surrounding mountains, deserts, and ski resorts.  An enthusiastic learner, Derek graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy before earning a nursing degree from the University of Utah in 1999, and a Masters of Business Administration degree in 2003.  Derek worked as a pediatric nurse at Primary Children’s Medical Center, where he met his wife Krisdee.  He became an instant Dad to Krisdee’s son Hayden, and he would later have three more children, including one adopted child, with Krisdee.  Derek and Krisdee faced the challenges of raising two children with hemophilia, a bleeding disorder that does not allow blood to properly clot.  Derek’s love of helping others eventually led him to work with hemophilia companies that manufactured the life-sustaining and life-enhancing therapies needed by his sons. Derek’s life has taken many unexpected turns, the most dramatic of which was facing the death of Hayden from an accidental drug overdose when Hayden was 21 years old.  The grief he experienced led to his path of helping others through kindness.  He is now an author, speaker, coach, and continues to advocate for happiness through kindness around the world.