Dennise Mena
DEI Communications Strategist
Dennise is a people-centered and creative communicator with a desire to create a more equitable and inclusive world through meaningful conversations and impactful communications.
Knowing the importance of spotlighting marginalized voices, they use an intersectional and dynamic approach to communications to foster awareness, understanding, and equitable solutions. In their role, Dennise will work with clients to develop internal and external communications strategies to support their DEI efforts.
As a queer daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico and El Salvador, Dennise understands the social and cultural complexities of holding multiple identities in our world. Born and raised in small-town Nevada, they felt early on in life the ways systemic oppression, racism, and misogyny shaped their experiences. Her passion for creating a more equitable and just world grew out of those experiences and they have continued to use their skills in communications to create inclusive spaces through written, digital, and creative mediums.
Dennise graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Sociology. During her time in college, Dennise learned what it meant to make real systemic change through community and student organizing and intended to follow the path of community organizing. Upon leading a campaign around sexual assault reform on her college campus, she was inspired by the effectiveness of storytelling and a solid communications strategy in movements to pursue a career in communications.
After graduation, Dennise dove head first into learning how to be an effective communicator learning skills in public relations and media engagement, social media, writing copy, and marketing. Before returning to advocacy-based organizations, Dennise developed a diverse portfolio working for social media agencies, government, small businesses, and corporations.
In 2019, Dennise returned to advocacy work with Faith In Action Nevada, a local nonprofit working towards racial and economic justice, where she helped expand and rebrand the organization into a statewide force that organizes communities of faith throughout the state. In 2021, Dennise moved to DC after taking a role with Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC to fight for reproductive rights in the DMV region.
Dennise prides herself on creating community and safe spaces wherever they go. In their spare time, Dennise is either hanging out with her dog and partner or conquering a new craft or art form.