Denise graduated from Florida A&M University in 1986 with a BS in Journalism and began her career as a newspaper reporter with The Washington Times. In 1987, she began grant writing as a part-time consultant for non-profits in D.C. In 1999, she transitioned to full-time nonprofit work as the founder of a small chamber of commerce in South Florida and later as a grants administrator for the Urban League. She and her family moved to metro Atlanta in 2003. Denise has worked as a development professional for several non-profits in Atlanta, including the Waldorf School of Atlanta, Cool Girls and Families First. Since 2008, she has worked as a development consultant on several projects in Georgia, D.C., Texas, California and Florida.