For Denise Cottle, the journey from managing multimillion-dollar accounts in corporate America to inspiring young minds in a first-grade classroom has been anything but conventional. Yet, every chapter of her professional path reflects a powerful commitment to learning, adaptability, and mentorship—values she credits to her formative years with INROADS.

Denise began her professional journey in 1995 through INROADS as a Middle Market Intern at Marsh McLennan. It was a defining experience. “INROADS introduced me to professional businesspeople who taught me to value myself and my colleagues,” Denise shares.

Through coaching, training, and invaluable networking opportunities, INROADS helped lay a strong foundation for Denise’s success. Her early roles involved high-level client relationship management, including marketing an $80 million global property insurance program, recovering $500,000 in overpaid premiums for a higher education consortium client, and processing over 80 retirement claims for the Social Security Administration.

Her global career spanned cities like Chicago, Frankfurt, and Madrid, where she worked across corporate and nonprofit sectors. Whether producing a strategic marketing CD-ROM for Saks Fifth Avenue or interpreting in Spanish for international brokers, Denise consistently leveraged her trilingual fluency and analytical skills to deliver results.

A New Chapter: Leading the Next Generation

In 2019, Denise made a transformative career shift from State Farm Insurance to education. Today, she serves as a first-grade dual-language teacher and Professional Learning Community leader, combining her passion for education with her multilingual background and leadership experience. She’s not just teaching—she’s molding the next generation of global citizens.

When asked what advice she’d give to today’s INROADS interns, Denise emphasizes the value of mentorship and initiative:

“Always volunteer to work with experienced professionals; they will teach you more than any textbook.”

Her story is an inspiring example of how INROADS equips its alumni to thrive across a wide spectrum of careers. It proves that leadership isn’t bound by industry but fueled by a mindset of purpose and lifelong learning.