Director of Mexico Operations

Derek Dumais brings a deep-rooted passion for Southern Arizona, cross-border collaboration, and mission-driven work to his role with Rancho Feliz. A graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management (Class of 2017), where he earned a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Spanish, Derek combines business acumen with a love of language, history, and community.

More than a decade ago, his first nonprofit experience sparked a lasting belief in the powerful impact a small group of dedicated people can have when united behind a meaningful cause.

Derek first joined Rancho Feliz in the winter of 2018 as Project Manager for the La Hacienda Feliz volunteer complex. Located on the border in Agua Prieta, Mexico, he worked closely with our Mexican partners to bring the bi-national vision to life. He remained deeply involved through the project’s completion in spring 2021, successfully navigating pandemic-era construction challenges and delivering the project on time and on budget.

Even after stepping away from his formal role, Derek continued to serve Rancho Feliz as a committed volunteer. In 2024, he was appointed President of the Board of Vecinos Dignos Sin Fronteras (Worthy Neighbors Without Borders), our Mexican sister organization. In this leadership role, he has supported operations and strategic planning, including the successful development of the Vecinos master planned community and its homeowners association. To date, 33 of the 42 total Vecinos deeds have been transferred to the qualifying residents, representing an equity conveyance of over $1.5 million.

Professionally, Derek has continued working in project and property management across Southern Arizona, while remaining closely connected to Rancho Feliz’s mission, a dedication that earned him our 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award.

As the new year begins, we are thrilled to welcome Derek back in an official capacity as Director of Mexico Operations. He looks forward to helping Rancho Feliz reach new heights as we strengthen programs and expand our impact. A key focus of his work will be increasing the effectiveness of Mexican government grants supporting Vecinos, multiplying the reach of Rancho Feliz donor dollars and deepening our cross-border impact.

“At Rancho Feliz, our work has always been rooted in relationships and shared humanity,” said Founder and President Gil Gillenwater. “Derek understands that what we do goes beyond programs — it’s about showing up with respect, building trust, and growing alongside the communities we serve. We’re grateful to have him step back into a leadership role as our work continues to grow.”

Derek can be reached at derek@ranchofeliz.com