Over the years, Denise has led several diversity-related initiatives within state government, and is most proud of her role in helping to establish the Washington State Latino Leadership Network for state employees in 2015. Denise is an advisor to 'A Human Workplace', where she served as an intern for the Workplace Transformation efforts at Results Washington, Office of the Governor. She co-leads 'Community Conversations on Race' in her rural community, providing a space for community members to have structured, facilitated conversations on race related topics, and learn how to become anti-racist. Denise is part of the YWCA of Olympia's Intercultural Foundations Community Institute, a program designed to building inclusive communities by identifying systems of oppression and working towards shifting culture.    

Denise's current Master Degree research focuses on leadership development for leaders of color, with a concentration on the barriers women of color face in obtaining leadership roles. She is a graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma's Certified Public Manager® program. Denise received her Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University, where she studied Public Health, Human Resources, and Organizational Development.