Leadership Development Manager

Denise was born and raised in Los Angeles and brings over 10 years of experience in education, supporting K–12 students and their families in a variety of roles. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University and her master’s degree in School Counseling from Concordia University Irvine.

Denise began her career as a paraprofessional and Youth Care Specialist before transitioning into mental health counseling and eventually serving as a Lead High School Counselor for seven years. During her time at the high school, she also served as the assistant girls’ basketball coach and helped bring Students Run LA to campus, combining her passion for student development with her love of sports. After taking on a District Partnership Manager role, Denise realized how much she missed working directly with students and being connected to her community, inspiring her to become a Leadership Development Manager at C5LA.

Outside of work, Denise enjoys staying active and embracing new challenges. After running two LA Marathons, she hopes to complete a HYROX competition and an ultramarathon in the future. When she’s not working out or exploring the outdoors, you can find her binge-watching her favorite shows, trying a new food spot, or searching for the best matcha in town!