Denise (DeeDee) DeMan

DeeDee DeMan built Bench International from a single-person life science and healthcare executive recruiting firm into a global recruiting and advisory firm for boards and leadership teams. In short, throughout the five generations of Bench International, DeeDee and the Team never give up, never reducing their dogged momentum, or client and candidate care, until project completion. DeeDee has been a champion for those who, “think and do differently,” yet never compromising on cultural fit for each client.

Throughout the years, DeeDee has invested in the companies Bench has served, as well as helped to create. In 2020, DeeDee participated in creating a Women’s Health, early detection, liquid biopsy company, Mammogen, Inc. She became the company’s first outside investor and Independent Director.

 
In 2009, DeeDee was the first executive recruiter in life science sector history to be named, “1 of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Leaders” by PharmaVOICE Magazine, and is a Hall of Fame Inductee of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). In 2022 DeeDee was voted Business Woman of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal.

DeeDee is also the founder of The Bank of Women®, comprising of over 1100 women who are Ready Now for Independent Director and C-Suite roles in the life science and healthcare sector, which ensures that women leaders are brought to every client as part of balanced candidate slates.

 
Giving back to the industry is critically important to DeeDee. To that end, she serves as a Member of the Board of Governors of BIOCOM California, a Member of BIOCOM’s DE&I Task Force, and is a founding Corporate Sponsor of Life Science Cares, throughout the USA.

 
DeeDee holds a double Masters of Science degree in Auditory Pathology and Speech Pathology. Prior to founding Bench, DeeDee served as a Research Fellow in a joint research program sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Siemens Corporation, the University of California, San Diego, State Diego State University, and the San Diego Speech and Hearing Center.

 
DeeDee is also a graduate of Drexel University’s Corporate Governance Program, which continues to serve her ability to advise and assess both public and private boards, as well as lead the firm’s board search practice.