Denise has a long history (or over 24 years) helping clients prepare for the future. With a background in strategy development, implementation and organizational transformation, Denise has been guiding clients in Life Sciences, Hospitality, Higher Education, Aerospace & Defense, Financial Services, Air Force, Navy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and the FBI. Denise holds a BS in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech and a M.B.A. from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at University of Maryland.
Why did you join Toffler Associates?
Toffler Associates gave me the intellectual freedom to really explore how work and the workforce is fundamentally changing and how we can prepare and build organizations that better meet everyone’s needs.
What is your favorite client story?
Because our work is so research based, we have significant data and insights drive our POVs. I’ve been in many client situations where we fundamentally shifted their understanding of their organization and how it sits in the market. The clients came to us thinking they knew the way forward but needing support to get there. We helped them re-vector and when we were finished there was almost a lightness about them from the confidence they had in the new strategic direction.
What excites you about 2030?
We are moving into a world where the worker has more agency. They will have more control over the type of work they do and will be rewarded for their impact. Organizations who understand this will be able to dramatically increase their performance and attract the best talent. We could see a golden-age for those organizations who are able to adapt.
What do you enjoy most about Toffler Associates client work?
The insights we are able to provide our clients is almost magic. Our approach and the rigor we use in our research is something they aren’t able to get other places and I’ve seen it fundamentally shift their understanding of what their strategy needs to be. It’s been the most challenging and rewarding work of my career.
What is your favorite part about TA culture?
I work with colleagues who are all very intellectually curious and we have the most interesting conversation. We are all absolutely dedicated to our clients’ success and will pull in as many people as it takes to make sure the insights are well thought out and rigorous. My teammates are also a lot of fun and nice people.
What would you emphasize to a recruit about your role, the firm, or success at client?
Consulting is really hard work but you get to solve really challenging problems and work with great people.