Denise Thomas Bio
Ms. Denise Thomas is a strong believer in the philosophy that all individuals, regardless of their physical or mental limitations, should have the right to live and work in their community just like their non-disabled peers. She has dedicated most of her personal and professional life to advocating for and assisting people with disabilities to lead more independent and productive lives.
Denise graduated from St. Andrews College in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management, and a minor in Computer Information Systems. During her undergraduate studies, she achieved several academic accomplishments, including being listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, being inducted into the National Honor Society, and being recognized as an All-American Collegiate Scholar. After college, she started her career in management. |
Denise was quickly hired as a program manager to lead a grassroots project that helped individuals with disabilities make affordable and accessible modifications to their homes. She felt proud and accomplished to be able to use her skills to help others become more independent. Her next job was to develop and manage transportation services for disabled riders across the Washington Metropolitan Area. Her efforts in this field were recognized when she received the Richard D. Heddinger Accessible Transportation Award and the Edward Bynum Leadership and Advocacy Award. Denise continued to promote independence for people with disabilities by actively serving on both the Montgomery County Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Rockville Human Service Advisory Commission. She also won the Toyota/WJLA Tribute to Working Women and the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Personal Achievement Award. Currently, Denise is the Executive Director of Living Independently for Everyone, Inc. |