Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹

Denise is a professor of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ and Organizational Studies in the Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹. She is also the founder and executive director of the Institute of Leadership Studies. Denise has more than 40 years of experience in higher education as an educator and executive; first at the University of San Francisco and currently at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹. 

Some of her former roles include Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Liberal and Professional Studies, Associate Dean of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ College, and Associate Dean and Director of Marketing and Corporate Development at the University of San Francisco’s College of Professional Studies. She is actively involved in the Marin community serving in leadership roles on various non-profit boards. Among the honors she has received are the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce's  Women of Industry Community Benefit Leader Award, Magnificent Women of Marin Award, Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹'s Outstanding Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Professor Award, Outstanding Research Award in the Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, Outstanding Service Award and Á½ÐÔÉ«Îçҹ’s Presidential Medallion and Sr. Aquinas Nimitz Distinguished Service Award and University of San Francisco’s Merit Award and USF's Griffin Award.

Denise directs Á½ÐÔÉ«Îçҹ’s leadership development center: The Institute for Leadership Studies. She teaches and consults in leadership and team development, organizational change, negotiation and conflict management, business communications, business and society, corporate social responsibility, and civic engagement. 

Education

University of San Francisco, Organizations and Leadership, EdD

California State University, Fresno, MS, Clinical Psychology

Michigan State University, BS, Psychology

Research Interests

Research interests include small business export enterprises, leadership, leader and team development, business education, micro-finance poverty reduction.

Expertise

Leadership, Management, Organizational Studies, Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Communications, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Management Consulting, Change Leadership, Community Leadership, Strategic Planning, Teams, Microcredit, U.S. SME Exporting.

Honors and Awards

• Women of Industry Community Benefit Leader Award, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, 2023
• Outstanding Researcher Award, Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, 2021-2022
• Outstanding Faculty Service of the Year, Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, 2020- 2021
• Outstanding Faculty of the Year, Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, 2019
• Outstanding Faculty of the Year, Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, 2017
• Joseph R. Fink Lifetime Achievement Faculty Award, Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University of California, 2016-2017
• Excellence in Education Award, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, 2016-2017
• Outstanding Service Award, Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, 2014-2015
• Outstanding Faculty of the Year, Senior Faculty, Barowsky School of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹, 2013-14
• Marin Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee, 2011
• Magnificent Women of Marin, 2008
• 19th Annual Service Award, 2008
• Sr. Aquinas Nimitz Distinguished Service Award, Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University of California, 2007
• Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University of California Alumni Service Award '07
• Griffin Award, School of Education Alumni of the Year, University of San Francisco, 2002
• President’s Medallion for Distinguished Service, Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ University of California, 2001
• Merit Award, University of San Francisco, 1987
• Staff Service Award, College of Professional Studies, University of San Francisco, 1987