About

Denesha Snell, M.Ed. is a facilitator, consultant, and community engagement expert who excels at asking the right questions to ignite ideas, foster meaningful connections, and guide individuals and organizations toward clarity and progress. With a deep expertise in shaping group dynamics and collective conversations, she creates spaces where people can dream, think, connect, and build trust—sometimes even challenge one another—all in service of a greater purpose. Her approach nurtures open, transformative dialogue that supports  collaboration, sparks innovation, and drives impact.

As the founder of AvantEdge Collective, she leads an organization that unites experts from diverse industries who recognize the powerful intersection of creativity and strategy. Through curiosity and innovation, AvantEdge Collective is dedicated to driving transformation, fostering growth, and translating vision into purposeful, actionable results.

With over 25 years of experience spanning public health, community engagement, civic leadership, program development, and strategic communications, she specializes in designing spaces where diverse voices are heard and valued.

As the Senior Advisor for Civic Leadership at PLTI-KC, Denesha works with parents, community leaders, and civic groups to foster engagement, build leadership capacity, and empower individuals to drive meaningful change. She has extensive experience coaching individuals in civic participation, supporting campaigns, and facilitating leadership placements on boards and commissions.

Previously, as Director of Programs at American Public Square at Jewell, Denesha led strategic initiatives to improve civil discourse, oversaw large-scale community programs on complex social issues, and developed partnerships with national organizations to broaden impact. She also served as the Public Information Officer for the Kansas City Health Department, where she designed and implemented communication strategies to engage the public and key communities in health equity initiatives.

Throughout her career, Denesha has been committed to ensuring that diverse voices are amplified and organizations have the tools needed to create sustainable and impactful change. Whether working with nonprofits, government agencies, or community-based initiatives, she brings a collaborative, creative, and strategic approach that helps organizations move from ideas to action.

When not working toward the greater good, Denesha loves to travel, wander through museums, and read lots of books to keep her reserve of random facts full. A passionate music lover, she enjoys discovering new sounds, curating playlists, and belting out tunes randomly. She also cherishes spending time with her two daughters, who keep her on her toes and remind her that not taking herself too seriously is an essential part of life.