Denise Penny

Denise Penny, a 2nd generation Washingtonian and graduate of DC’s esteemed Benjamin Banneker High School, is one of few African American female veterans in the white male dominated commercial real estate industry. Having closed major transactions such as the historic 1851 Ninth Street NW building that formally served as the Grand United Order of the Odd Fellows in America and later Maya Angelou Public Charter School, Denise is a respected leader in the business.

Upon graduating from the University of Virginia, Denise began her career in marketing where she landed a consultant role with a project management company contracted to execute a HUD neighborhood revitalization initiative. Her comprehensive outreach to faith-based organizations and the non-profit community through counseling and education services further fanned the flame around her desire to empower residents to invest in real estate.

Equally passionate about human rights and justice, Denise has worked closely with Positive Black Folks in Action and other black organizations seeking to educate, mobilize and empower the community to provide more meaningful resources to young people, jobs for those with multiple barriers to employment and ensure the arc of justice bends equitably and doesn’t disadvantage those within underserved communities.

Denise serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and is an ardent supporter of Covenant House of Greater Washington, DC Public Education Fund, Destinations International’s HBCU Scholarship Program and DC Central Kitchen.

Denise enjoys reading leadership and health books, exercising and spending weekends boating on the Bay.