Denise Thomas Bio
Ms. Thomas believes whole heartedly believes in the philosophy that all individuals despite their physical and/or mental limitations have the right to live and work within their community in the same manner as their non-disabled peers. Denise has dedicated the majority of her professional and personal life towards advocating and assisting others with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives.
A graduate of St. Andrews College in North Carolina, Denise earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management; while receiving a minor in Computer Information Systems. As an undergraduate, she was noted for several academic accomplishments such as; Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, National Honor Society and All-American Collegial Scholar. Directly following college, Denise actively pursued a career in management.
She was immediately hired as a program manager to facilitate a grass roots project to assist individuals with disabilities to make affordable and accessible modifications to their homes. From this experience, not only was a sense of accomplishment achieved by being able to put her skills to good use, but there was a feeling of pride that was achieve by helping others to become more independent. Her next career move lead her to develop and manage programs relating to transportation services offered throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area for disabled riders.
As recognition for her efforts to make improvements in this field, Denise was the recipient of the second annual Richard D. Heddinger Accessible Transportation Award and the Edward Bynum Leadership and Advocacy Award.
Denise has continued the path to promote independence for individuals with disabilities by serving as an active member of both the Montgomery County Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Rockville Human Service Advisory Commission. Ms. Thomas later became one of the winners of the Toyota/WJLA Tribute to Working Women and the recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Personal Achievement Award. She is currently the Executive Director of Living Independently for Everyone, Inc.
Ms. Thomas believes whole heartedly believes in the philosophy that all individuals despite their physical and/or mental limitations have the right to live and work within their community in the same manner as their non-disabled peers. Denise has dedicated the majority of her professional and personal life towards advocating and assisting others with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives.
A graduate of St. Andrews College in North Carolina, Denise earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management; while receiving a minor in Computer Information Systems. As an undergraduate, she was noted for several academic accomplishments such as; Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, National Honor Society and All-American Collegial Scholar. Directly following college, Denise actively pursued a career in management.
She was immediately hired as a program manager to facilitate a grass roots project to assist individuals with disabilities to make affordable and accessible modifications to their homes. From this experience, not only was a sense of accomplishment achieved by being able to put her skills to good use, but there was a feeling of pride that was achieve by helping others to become more independent. Her next career move lead her to develop and manage programs relating to transportation services offered throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area for disabled riders.
As recognition for her efforts to make improvements in this field, Denise was the recipient of the second annual Richard D. Heddinger Accessible Transportation Award and the Edward Bynum Leadership and Advocacy Award.
Denise has continued the path to promote independence for individuals with disabilities by serving as an active member of both the Montgomery County Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Rockville Human Service Advisory Commission. Ms. Thomas later became one of the winners of the Toyota/WJLA Tribute to Working Women and the recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Personal Achievement Award. She is currently the Executive Director of Living Independently for Everyone, Inc.