Denise Andrea Campbell

Denise Andrea Campbell has been working nationally and internationally as a social change agent since the age of 16. She is passionate about making good things happen with and for communities.

Early in her career, Denise helped build The Students Commission as a leader in youth engagement nationally, advised on strategy development for leading foundations like the J.W. McConnell Foundation, and worked internationally on race and gender policies in numerous United Nations forums and more recently, the African Union.

Denise has received numerous awards for her contributions, including, a Harry Jerome Award for Leadership (1999); a YTV Achievement Award (1994); and a “Young Woman of Distinction Award” (1993). In 2001, she was featured on a Black Canadians in History Poster and Education Curriculum, and was included in Who’s Who in Black Canada (1st edition, 2001) and the current on-line edition. A writer on social inclusion issues, she has also been an avid media spokesperson on social inclusion-related issues, hosted a television show, Girl Talk, and 13 documentaries, Global Villagers.

Denise joined the City of Toronto’s Social Development, Finance and Administration Division in 2004 as the Coordinator for the Toronto Youth Cabinet. She quickly became a Community Development Officer focused on youth development, then Manager of Community Development, facilitating human service system planning and delivery in the city’s neighbourhood improvement areas for investment. Currently, Denise is the Director of Community Resources with responsibility for Community Revitalization in neighbourhoods like Regent Park and Lawrence Heights, Youth Development, Community Funding Programs for Toronto's community-based sector, and Community Development in under-served neighbourhoods.

Denise has been a Girls Action Foundation board member since 2006.

Denise has written and edited several publications. Most recently, she published her first photography book - I Am Jack Layton - chronicling the historic love story between Canadians and their political hero.