Denise has studied meditation for more than thirty years and has been a student of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche for twenty. She was introduced to The 3 Doors practices by Gabriel Rocco in a course at the Penn Center for Mindfulness, where she also completed the Mindfulness Facilitator Training and guided weekly community practices. She completed The 3 Doors Compassion Project and graduated from the 3rd North American Academy in 2017. She became a Presenter of these practices in 2023 under the guidance and mentorship of Marcy Vaughn and Gabriel Rocco.
Denise’s work is dedicated to advancing research, policies, and programs with a positive social impact. As a coach and strategic advisor, she brings more than two decades of experience in executive leadership, coaching, teaching, and applied research experience across startup, NGO, corporate, and academic organizations. This work has inspired deep and continual learning to understand and support conditions that nurture human flourishing, healing, and resilience at the individual and collective levels.
Denise earned a Masters Degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, then served as adjunct faculty for graduate and undergraduate courses and on the international training team for the Penn Resilience Program. She went on to direct the Penn Positive Neuroscience Project, then the Penn Center for Neuroscience and Society, in partnership with world-renowned researchers and faculty. As part of this work, she created and taught workshops integrating the science and experience of contemplative practices.
Denise has contributed to the research, design, and delivery of science-based coaching and training programs at organizations including Twill (formerly Happify Health), the Potential Project, and currently for Principles, a Ray Dalio Company. She has additional training in trauma-informed coaching and healing modalities. All of this work is a practice of gratitude to the brilliant and skillful teachers who have guided her path across domains. Being held in community—particularly in the 3 Doors community—has made it possible to offer the benefits of learning and practice to others.
