Denise Scatena

Meet Denise

As CEO, Denise is known to clients and teammates as whip-smart, crazy organized, well-connected, and disarmingly practical. As a fractional communications leader, she has the ear of some of the top media powerhouses and community influencers in San Diego County and beyond. With nearly 30 years of experience, Denise has led award-winning campaigns and initiatives across many sectors: nonprofits, healthcare, telecommunications, hospitality, professional services, and more.

In addition to leading Scatena Media Group, Denise now offers Fractional Head of Communications services for organizations seeking executive-level support. This role complements the agency’s work by providing strategic leadership to clients navigating transitions, campaigns, or internal growth—offering flexibility without compromising impact. It’s a natural extension of her decades-long mission to help purpose-driven teams communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility.

Denise is a third-generation San Diegan and comes from a line of entrepreneurs who owned several successful businesses in the region. When she isn’t driving her twin teenage girls around or acting as their personal shopper or their biggest fan as they compete in athletics, Denise loves staying active with pilates, hiking, and tennis lessons.

Denise’s community roles and industry awards are numerous. Denise is an active member with San Diego Rotary Club 33, serving as co-chair of the club’s Peace/IDEA committee. She is a past board member of the San Diego Press Club, PRSA San Diego, and Mama’s Kitchen. She is an active member of the San Diego Association of Black Journalists (SDABJ), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), specifically the San Diego/Imperial County Chapter, Orange County, CA Chapter, and the Counselors Academy. Denise is also a member of the North County Philanthropy Council, and the San Diego/Tijuana Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).

Denise was awarded PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties Public Relations Professional of the Year and the Eva Irving Community Service Award. Her dedication to the industry has been recognized by various organizations, including the San Diego Business Journal's SD500 most influential business leaders and CEO of the Year Awards finalist, and SD Metro Magazine's Top Marketing and PR Executives.

Her strategic communications work has also been recognized by the San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards; North County Philanthropy Council's Volunteer of the Year Awards, PRSA San Diego Bernays Awards, San Diego Business Journal's Women in Business awards, San Diego Metropolitan Magazine's "40 Under 40," Cable Television Public Affairs Awards, and the American Marketing Association San Diego’s Sandie Awards.