Denise M. Whinnen
Director - Colorado Progressive
denisew@gayandlesbianfund.org
Denise M. Whinnen is the Gay & Lesbian Fund’s director of Colorado Progressive. Denise joined the fund in February 2005 and has responsibility for developing relationships with business and governmental entities.
Prior to joining the Gill Foundation, Denise was the director of corporate affairs for Pikes Peak Fast Food Restaurants, Inc, which is a $10 million company that is better known to the public as Burger King. Over 30 years with the company, Denise created a resume that reads like an American success story. In 1975, just before she enrolled at the University of Colorado, Denise joined the company as a member of a restaurant work crew. From there, she moved to head cashier, restaurant manager, and director of operations for five restaurants. In 1982, she became corporate director of marketing, advertising, and community relations with responsibility for all promotional events, advertising and public relations, and in 1988 took the helm of the entire organization.
Among her professional activities, Denise has served in leadership roles at Executive Women International, the Pikes Peak Advertising Federation, and the National Association of Female Executives. Additionally, she is past co-chair of the HCH Food Safety Task Force, which was a public-private partnership with the El Paso County Health Department.
As a Colorado native, preserving and enhancing our environment has been very important to Denise. Her community service activities are extensive and have focused on improving the quality of life for all residents of Colorado Springs. For seven years, Denise was chairperson of GreenSprings, a local beautification project that has planted more than 55,000 trees and shrubs on 25 sites through the assistance of more than 5,500 volunteer planters. She was also on the Board of Directors for the Junior League, Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, and the Partnership for Community Design. Additionally, she has been on executive or fundraising committees for the Pikes Peak Walk for Children, YMCA/USO Capital Partners Campaign, March of Dimes, and Easter Seals.
Denise and her husband have raised three children, and have six grandchildren. All, thankfully, have moved out of the house leaving time for three dogs, two cats, and many outdoor activities.
