Denise works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and has a 20-minute commute to her downtown St. John’s office. Her role involves collaboration with geologists, geophysicists, and reservoir engineers to maximize oil and gas production. Key responsibilities include building computer models of subsurface geology, designing wells targeting hydrocarbon-rich areas, and maximizing recovery from existing wells. Her fieldwork has taken her to various challenging locations, including Northern Labrador and the Northwest Territories.

Denise's academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science degree (Honours) from Memorial University and a PhD in Geology from the University of Calgary. Her high school courses in math, physics, and chemistry were instrumental in her preparation for this career. Denise's path included summer jobs with oil companies and teaching positions while pursuing her PhD. Her journey led to a permanent position at ExxonMobil, where she has worked on diverse projects across Canada and internationally.

Denise's work includes a blend of office-based tasks and travel for meetings and conferences, with trips to cities like Houston, Halifax, and London. She emphasizes safety in the workplace, whether in the office or during fieldwork, identifying hazards and addressing them proactively.