Denise Porche has held leadership roles in community activism, social service provision and philanthropy for more than three decades. Currently, Denise is Executive Director of the Island Foundation, which she has led since 2009. Under her leadership, the Island Foundation has increased its funding for basic needs, inclusion and equity grantmaking strategies, global issues, and educational and work opportunities for underserved populations. In addition, she founded the Southeastern Massachusetts Food Security Network and the Women CEO’s Group. And she participated in EGA’s Global Distance Learning Programs to China, Kenya and South Africa.
Prior to joining the Island Foundation, Denise was a fellow at the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School. While at Harvard, she worked on inclusion projects, immigration issues, and was a member of the Harvard Diversity Working Group. Denise holds an MSW from Boston University and a BA in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.