Ralph C. Derrickson Headshot

2017 Distinguished Alumni Award

Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Ralph C. Derrickson

AAS '78, BT '81

President and CEO, Carena, Inc


Following his experience as a parent of two daughters born prematurely, Ralph was determined to apply his background in technology and start-up innovation to improve patient and provider experiences. Since joining Carena as President and CEO in 2006, Ralph has overseen the company’s transformation from a house call company to a virtual healthcare solutions provider with care-quality the core of its vision.

Prior to Carena, Ralph served as Managing Director of Venture Investments at Vulcan Capital, where he was responsible for the firm’s technology and biotechnology investments. He co-founded Watershed Capital, an early stage technology venture fund. Ralph has served on the boards of numerous technology start-ups and has held leadership positions at Starwave Corporation, NeXT Computer, Inc., and Sun Microsystems.

Ralph is an active member of the Seattle entrepreneur community. He serves on the board of directors of Life Science Washington, is a lecturer at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, and is Chairman of the Executive Advisory Board for the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington. He also serves on the board of directors for Perficient (NASDAQ: PRFT), a St. Louis-based technology solutions provider, and on the board of trustees at Hyla Middle School on Bainbridge Island.

Meet Ralph

2017 Distinguished Alumni Award

Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Ralph C. Derrickson

AAS '78, BT '81

President and CEO, Carena, Inc


Following his experience as a parent of two daughters born prematurely, Ralph was determined to apply his background in technology and start-up innovation to improve patient and provider experiences. Since joining Carena as President and CEO in 2006, Ralph has overseen the company’s transformation from a house call company to a virtual healthcare solutions provider with care-quality the core of its vision.

Prior to Carena, Ralph served as Managing Director of Venture Investments at Vulcan Capital, where he was responsible for the firm’s technology and biotechnology investments. He co-founded Watershed Capital, an early stage technology venture fund. Ralph has served on the boards of numerous technology start-ups and has held leadership positions at Starwave Corporation, NeXT Computer, Inc., and Sun Microsystems.

Ralph is an active member of the Seattle entrepreneur community. He serves on the board of directors of Life Science Washington, is a lecturer at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, and is Chairman of the Executive Advisory Board for the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington. He also serves on the board of directors for Perficient (NASDAQ: PRFT), a St. Louis-based technology solutions provider, and on the board of trustees at Hyla Middle School on Bainbridge Island.

Meet Ralph