Denise was raised in Brooklyn, and attended Fiorello L Guardia High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan and studied English Literature at State University at Stony Brook.
Before completing college, Denise opened a restaurant which operated for almost 35 years in her hometown. It was a success despite her never having been in the restaurant business before, nor ever having worked at a restaurant. But, she could cook, and had been cooking since a child; and while it was a leap of faith, it was backed by hard work and dedication.
While continuing college she also worked as a graphic artist for Pennysaver publications, and then also a salesperson for them, for more than ten years.
In all, Denise has been employed in digital/ graphic art and ad design for 45+years. ( until recently while also working nights and doing catering for the restaurant on weekends)
At hibu inc., she was trained in digital advertising, SEO, SEM, and received Google certification. She sold and maintained websites and website advertising.
As a general sales manager for Homes.com, Denise handled ad sales, editorial content, print magazine layout, distribution and digital advertising, collections and accounting for Nassau and Suffolk print editions of Homes.com. Denise was a sales executive for All Island Media/Got It Local for another 10 years.
Denise is currently a media consultant for Long Island Advance/Islip Bulletin/ Suffolk County News. She loves working at the Long Island Advance-not only because it’s close to home but because it’s a real local news outlet…and being a part of it brings her back to her writing roots. Denise is a published poet who has been included in many anthologies, printed and digital, in the United States and abroad. She has hosted poetry workshops for the past twenty-five years and enjoys mentoring writers. She loves her garden and koi pond, and her home by the Great South Bay- where she has lived for 45+years. The beach around the corner is her ‘happy place’-where she goes to wind down, and breathe in. She also has two adult sons who live nearby.
A member of the Farmingville Chamber of Commerce for 7 years , Denise has served on the board as an advisory director, and now as second vice-president In charge of programs. Not a Farmingville resident, nor a business owner in the area- she nonetheless volunteers her time because the board is so proactive and the members so dedicated. She likes being a part of something worthwhile and hopes her vast experiences will be of use and helpful to other business owners. She encourages everyone to become part of it- in any capacity possible. It’s its own reward.
