January 26th, 2007 by: Ashley
Denise Troutman, everywhere I go, there she is…
Relatively new to Louisville, the Troutman family has quickly made their mark in the community with careers leading the way to a healthier, happier population of residents. Earlier this week I nearly passed on a YPAL luncheon, threatening to consume 2 very precious hours of my time. But I had already paid to attend the event, so with paint still on my hands, pencils stuck in my hair, and well, less than a young-professional’s presentation, I headed to hear Denise Troutman give an enthusiastic talk. President of the Center for Women and Families, Denise stirred energy in her audience, similarly instigated by a double shot of espresso, with her animated stories.
I was especially pleased to hear that Denise spent her very first days at the center meeting individually with each and every employee so that she would “know who’s on her bus.” A leader should know that the people they’re leading are on the same page and headed in the same direction. Simple, yet accurate, Denise offered the analogy of a flight attendant announcing “this plane is headed for Denver. If you’re not going to Denver, this would be the time to exit the plane.”
After the talk, I introduced myself to Denise in pursuit of an opportunity to do a piece on the Center for Women and Families for this site. She loved the idea as much as she loved my purse (apparently she remembers seeing my purse, and not me, at a fund raiser the week prior).
Low and behold, after the luncheon, I was graced with Mrs. Troutman’s presence a second time that day at a University of Louisville women’s basketball game. I have to admit, I was always the athletically challenged girl who was told by my soccer coach that my clumsiness was due to my abnormal height (6′ 0′) pulling me away from my center of gravity. This has partially contributed to my disinterest in sports, but Denise had enough cheer for the both of us (and maybe everyone sharing the court side row with her). I think even her husband, Dr. Adewale Troutman (director of Louisville’s health department), felt he was left in her robust cheer-leading dust.
The whole day was tied together when a half-time video about the Center for Women and Families, narrated by Mrs. Troutman, was played for the sports fans. To take it a step further, Denise is also involved with Women 4 Women, which works in collaboration with U of L student athletes, such as the players we watched that night, in a program called “Fit 4 Me”. Small world!
What a day, and what a woman!
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