"Dena brought energy, knowledge, professionalism, curiosity, and joy to Family Giving Tree during her tenure here. She demonstrated many skills, but her curiosity and interest in learning how to improve our organization were invaluable.

I was lucky enough to work closely with Dena in the same department and watched as she grew her portfolio and her knowledge. In addition to excelling at her duties as Major Gift Officer, she grew her role and was able to institute new procedures, software, and standards at Family Giving Tree. Her influence guided the organization toward respecting the importance of information: its gathering, its safety, its timeliness, its organization, et al.

Professionally, I found Dena easy to work with, and personally I found Dena a joy to work with. I know she will bring all of her wonderful qualities to any project she chooses to work on."

"Dena is an exceptional data-driven fundraiser, leader, and a true expert in Salesforce. Before working with her, I was always curious about maximizing donor data but was intimidated with understanding complex CRM systems. As an Institutional Giving Manager handling multiple accounts and opportunities, Dena made Salesforce easy to navigate. She taught me me how to pull reports, streamline donor touchpoints, and manage grants effectively. Her leadership is inspiring—she prioritizes people, fosters confidence and empowers her colleagues, and ensures her team feels supported. Thanks to her guidance, I’ve grown tremendously in my professional role and now feel empowered and more confident as a data-driven fundraiser. Dena’s impact is invaluable, and I will always be grateful for her mentorship and expertise."