Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition
Denise R. Jordan was born and raised in the City of Springfield, in a household
where community activism and service was a daily part of her upbringing. Denise
is a proud resident of the City of Springfield and a product of Springfield Public
Schools. She attended the oldest Historical Black Institution of Higher Learning in
the Country, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, where she received a B.S. Political
Science/ minor in Public Administration. She also has a Master’s Degree in Human
Resource Development from American International College. During her
professional career, Denise worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in
several roles for over 20 years as a Worker’s Compensation Manager, Sexual
Harassment Officer, Asst. Affirmative Action Officer; ending her tenure with the
State as a Civil Rights Officer for the Executive Office of Health and Human
Services.
In 2008, Denise became the City of Springfield’s first Black Chief of Staff and the
longest person to occupy that position, serving for over 10 years with Mayor
Domenic J. Sarno.
Most recently, Denise was selected to serve as the Executive Director of the
Springfield Housing Authority, the third largest public housing authority in the
state of Massachusetts, was named as one of Business West’s 2018 Women of
Impact and was selected as American International College’s 2019
Commencement Speaker, where she was also awarded and honorary Doctor of
Laws degree in recognition of her community contributions at the state and
national levels.