Denise is completing her PhD in Equity and Indigenous Education at York University. As an established education leader, Denise has worked in multiple contexts including public school boards, the Ministry of Education, Lakehead University, and First Nations private schools for the past 28 years. Within each of these contexts, she has built capacity and partnerships with multiple community stakeholders. Her work with the community has involved education conferences, workshop presentations, and capacity building with educators in First Nations schools. A Marten Falls First Nation member, she maintains that preserving and practicing cultural traditions and ceremony keeps her connected to the community, Indigenous cultures, traditions, and protocols. She works to establish networks, strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and governments, and build capacity between Indigenous, public, and private partners which have supported multiple initiatives that advance educational outcomes for Indigenous students. Previously, she served as co-chair of the Ministry of Education, Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat's First Nations, Metis and Inuit Provincial Committee, Principal mentor with the Paul Martin Foundation and co-chair of the Urban Aboriginal Education Strategy for Lakehead Public Schools. Her educational experience has included opportunities to lead and teach across multiple educational environments including public schools K-12, First Nations schools (K-12), and the university.