Denisse Montoya

Denisse Montoya is the Development & Program Coordinator at Illinois Joining Forces, bringing over a decade of experience serving veterans, military families, and diverse communities. A U.S. Air Force Veteran, she has held roles in security, community engagement, and program development both stateside and overseas.

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At Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, she managed the non-clinical staffing pool during the pandemic, led large-scale volunteer initiatives, coordinated outreach campaigns, and built partnerships that strengthened veteran support services.

In recognition of her leadership and advocacy, Denisse was named one of 25 Illinois Women Veteran Leaders for 2025 by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and received the 2025 True Grit Award from Merging Vets & Players. She is active in veteran-focused organizations, where she amplifies voices and creates spaces where minority veterans and military families feel seen, heard, and supported.

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Drawing on her background in strategic communications and program coordination, she excels at aligning resources with needs to maximize impact. In her role at Illinois Joining Forces, Denisse is committed to advancing programs and partnerships that empower veterans and their families throughout Illinois.

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