Denise Barham served 20 years in the Navy, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander after beginning as an enlisted deck seaman in 1992. Her roles included journalist, ship driver, and public affairs officer. She led and mentored young adults through complex personal and professional challenges. After shifting to higher education in 2018 as a communications specialist at Cal State San Marcos, she worked closely with student success programs. There, she saw the urgent need for life skills education, inspiring her to found Adulting Highway. She holds a BA in History and an MA in Communication from San Diego State University.