Bluegrass IIBA Volunteer Spotlight: Denise Sandford Earns the Strategic Impact Award
Our Volunteer Spotlight Series continues with Denise Sandford, recipient of the Strategic Impact Award. This award recognizes a volunteer whose contributions have shaped the direction of the chapter — and in her first year as President, Denise has already left a lasting mark.
Denise joined the Bluegrass IIBA Chapter Leadership Team in 2025 as Director of Community Events. In 2026, she stepped into the role of President, and she wasted no time setting a strategic course for the chapter's future.
Almost immediately after taking the Presidency, Denise facilitated a strategic planning session with the Board of Directors that members describe as one of the most productive in recent memory — bringing the Board together to align on priorities and set direction for the chapter going forward.
Out of that strategic thinking came a concrete new initiative: Denise proposed that the chapter offer a Mentoring Program, then rolled up her sleeves and worked to bring the idea to life — creating a new avenue for members to grow and connect with one another. The Chapter launched its new Mentoring Program in September 2026.
Denise has also championed bringing members together in person. Recognizing the value of face-to-face connection, she proposed an in-person Happy Hour event for the chapter and is organizing the gathering, set for October 29th.
Between reshaping the board's strategic direction, launching a new mentoring initiative, and creating new opportunities for members to connect in person, Denise has delivered exactly the kind of forward-looking leadership the Strategic Impact Award is meant to recognize — all within her first year as President.
Denise says, "I'm honored to receive this recognition. What I'm most proud of is the momentum we're building as a chapter and the opportunities we're creating for business analysis professionals to learn, connect and grow together."
Fellow volunteer and chapter leader, Aaron Whittenberger, says "Denise has made an immediate and long lasting impact in her few months as President. She gives informative President Announcements at the beginning of our chapter meetings and we now have a Mentoring Program due to Denise."
