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My father was a financial advisor at Edward Jones for 20 years. Growing up, I saw the relationships he built with his clients and within Edward Jones. That mutual caring, service and respect became an unconscious measure for my future career goals.

I am a life-long learner and earned my bachelor’s and two master’s degrees at Trinity University, California State University, Chico and Texas State. I am an avid player of kickball, tennis and pickleball. You will often find me exploring new games and movies with friends. I find nothing more relaxing than reading a book, baking and spending time with family and people I care about.

After exploring forensic science and museum studies, I discovered my true passion in helping others through teaching. For 11 years, I taught high school science in Round Rock. When it came time to leave education, I realized that the only place I wanted to be was building those same community-based relationships that I saw growing up.

Edward Jones is a different kind of investment firm. To us, face time and think time make sense. We meet with you to learn your individual needs so we can develop a strategy to help you achieve your long-term financial goals. So, whether you want to plan for retirement, save for college, reduce your tax bills or ensure you have income to cover your expenses, you can expect personalized service and long-term investing strategies instead of the latest investment fads. Join the nearly 7 million investors who know. Contact me today to help develop an investment strategy that makes sense for you. 

Dena is a community advocate dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through her work with The Arc of the Capital Area. The organization provides a wide range of services designed to help individuals build independent, meaningful lives, including employment services, day programs, life skills training, community integration, and campus-based programs that foster social connection and personal growth. Dena is especially passionate about building partnerships between employers and the disability community to help neurodivergent adults access meaningful and sustainable employment.

Outside of her professional work as The Arc's Mission and Impact Coordinator, Dena enjoys crafting—especially painting—playing games, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She has been married to her husband, Scott, for 24 years. Together they were former foster parents to children with special needs and are proud parents of their adopted daughter, who is 18. Dena is deeply committed to strengthening her community through service and collaboration with other business and civic leaders who share a passion for making a meaningful difference.

My passion for travel began in childhood. My mother was a flight attendant for TWA, and my father loved the open road. Whether we were taking family road trips by car or riding together on his Harley Davidson, with me on the back enjoying the breeze, those early experiences awakened my curiosity about the world, its people, and the transformative power of travel.

That curiosity deepened when I studied abroad in college. What began as a childhood fascination quickly became a lifelong calling. After graduation, I followed that passion to Austin, Texas, and continued exploring extraordinary destinations near and far, including Ischia, Rapa Nui, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Of all the places I have experienced, South Africa remains one of my favorites, both personally and as a destination I love designing for clients.

Since joining Balboa Vacations in 2014, I have specialized in creating curated, highly personalized journeys that are as seamless as they are memorable. My work is rooted in listening carefully, understanding each traveler’s vision, and shaping experiences that feel distinctive, meaningful, and unforgettable. Over the years, I have been honored to be featured in numerous travel publications, serve on travel industry panels, and contribute as a member of the editorial advisory board for Recommend Magazine.

Beyond travel, I am also a proud mother. My daughter graduated from Vandegrift High School and went on to college in Washington, D.C., where she unexpectedly changed her major and jumped headfirst into politics. Oh boy!

As an ambassador, I am passionate about helping others grow, build meaningful relationships, and scale their businesses. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is supporting the success of others in practical and meaningful ways. I would welcome the opportunity to connect over coffee, learn more about your goals, and explore how I may be able to help you succeed.