Growing up, Denise LeBeau Bois felt it best to downplay her Native heritage because of reactions she received early in her school life. She also felt judged for being from a divorced family, her mom of Western European ancestry and her father, Cheyenne River Lakota (Sioux). As a result, she had the sense that most people outside her family did not expect her to amount to much.
Her father, a Vietnam veteran, was proud of his Lakota heritage and military service. Bois was estranged from her father for many years and rarely shared photos of her dad or his side of the family. That changed when, at age 25, she attended a family reunion and spent time with her father, grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bois made a promise to begin sharing that side of her life.
One constant throughout her life was education. Her parents’ curiosity and passion for learning greatly shaped her path. Her grandmother Ethel LeBeau, Cheyenne River Lakota (Sioux), also supported her early education. “I was asked what college do you want to go to?” Bois recalls. “It was never phrased ‘if you go.’ The expectation was that I would go.”
After attending Regis University in Denver for freshman year, Bois transferred to the University of Montana. She graduated in 1995 with a degree in political science, followed by graduate school in political science and history. Even with a heavy financial burden, Bois loved her college experience. She held work-study positions and part-time jobs throughout college to supplement scholarships. “I slept on an air mattress until I could afford a futon,” she says. “I was on the dean’s list several times, but what I’m most proud of is that I never quit.”
At the University of Montana Bois felt she could be of mixed heritage and not apologize for or deny it. She found a Native community and studied tribal history and law along with women’s history and political theory. As a graduate school teaching assistant, she helped other Native students navigate the college world.
Bois had a post-graduation plan in mind: apply to the Peace Corps and work for the State Department. But the diagnosis of an eye condition prevented that, and her career journey became a winding path that included residential and commercial property management, massage therapy, and a return to school at the University of Washington for certification in accounting.
Through her network, she learned about an accounting position at aQuantive, a digital marketing company. Bois got the job and found a passion for sales operations, later moving into a program manager role. After two years, the company was acquired by Microsoft. Initially, Bois wasn’t sure it was going to be a fit since she had never worked at a large company. Her concerns were short-lived. In August 2020, she will mark 13 years at Microsoft. The company is working to transform the culture. “It is truly inspiring to witness the change,” Bois says.
Bois works within the Microsoft Advertising organization as senior sales excellence and strategy manager. Previously, she worked with Global Sales Operations teams in various roles, including developing internal sales processes and tools, collaborating with engineering teams to translate sales processes into requirements for tool development, and ensuring efficient processes and experiences for clients and partners.
She is also a strong voice and leader in Microsoft’s employee resource groups (ERGs). The Indigenous at Microsoft ERG is the organization’s ninth and newest ERG. Bois recalls an occasion last fall working with other groups within Microsoft as they pulled together a successful event honoring tribal veterans in the area. In addition to recognizing the veterans, the event was an opportunity to increase awareness of tribal customs and tribal sovereignty, and to create a safe space for tribal visitors on the Microsoft campus. “It was impactful for me to see my fellow Microsoft employees remain curious and excited, to learn about the diversity within tribal communities, and to be so well-prepared to honor our guests,” she says.
The Indigenous at Microsoft ERG is a strong supporter of AISES, which aligns with its key goals of recruiting Indigenous talent and perspectives. Bois offers a unique perspective on working in STEM. Her career is proof that you do not need a computer science degree to have a satisfying career in an organization focused on technology. “I share the same advice I received,” Bois says. “Be open to new opportunities and learn from everyone, even those showing you what not to do. Follow your dreams because you are worth it.”
