Derek Buchanan

Derek, Chief Marketing Officer, is a marketing leader and brand builder whose career bridges finance, creative direction, and digital performance.

He began his career at Morgan Stanley, learning the discipline of data and decision-making before following a creative calling that would define his next decade.

By 28, Derek launched a social-networking startup, and by 31, he had founded and scaled his own agency, Top AEO, developing brand platforms and campaigns for clients across education, finance, SaaS, and emerging technology.

Derek later served as SEO Director at one of the world’s leading marketing agencies, advising Fortune 500 and billion-dollar brands on long-term digital growth.

Today, at IvyBee, he applies that same synthesis of structure and imagination to storytelling, positioning, and go-to-market execution. He also led IvyBee’s full-scale rebrand from Pedegree Studios, redefining the company’s identity and market position to reflect its new vision.

Derek graduated with honors from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business, with a degree in Finance — and still has a soft spot for his SMU days.

He’s also a proud dad to two tiny tornadoes (girls) who run on equal parts chaos and wonder.