Denise Woodard is not just an entrepreneur—she is a mother, a barrier-breaker, and a fearless force redefining what inclusion means in the world of food. Her journey began not in the polished halls of boardrooms, but in the humble, often chaotic aisles of grocery stores where she searched, in vain, for safe snacks for her daughter Vivienne, who had multiple food allergies. That search turned into frustration, and frustration evolved into fierce determination. Denise didn’t just want better options—she built them.
With a single mission in her heart—to make delicious, safe, and accessible snacks for every child and family—Denise founded Partake Foods, a brand that would soon become a pioneer in the world of allergy-friendly food. Her snacks are more than just tasty; they are a promise. Every cookie, every box, every bite is carefully crafted to be free from the top 9 allergens, including peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, and more. But beyond being allergen-free, Partake’s products are joyful, flavorful, and full of love—something Denise insisted on from day one.
What sets Denise apart is her bold blend of compassion and hustle. When investors turned her down, she sold cookies out of her car. She knocked on doors, walked into stores uninvited, and poured her soul into the company with an unwavering belief that Partake Foods wasn’t just a brand—it was a revolution. She became the first Black woman to raise over $1 million in funding for a food startup, and that milestone was only the beginning. Denise didn’t just create a business; she opened doors for others. She has been intentional about hiring diverse talent, mentoring other underrepresented founders, and advocating for equity in every bite.
Denise leads with empathy. She understands the isolation parents feel when they can’t find safe food for their children. She knows how it feels to be overlooked in boardrooms and underestimated in negotiations. And yet, she transforms every “no” into fuel, every obstacle into an opportunity. Her products are now on shelves across major retailers nationwide—Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, and many others—not just because they taste great, but because Denise dared to dream differently.
Partake Foods has grown into more than a snack company. It’s a brand built on purpose. From school lunchboxes to family gatherings, Denise’s vision is to ensure no child ever has to sit out snack time again. She’s fighting exclusion with every cookie she makes.
But Denise’s impact stretches far beyond the supermarket. She mentors Black and brown women founders. She funds scholarships. She serves on advisory boards where she champions equity in food, retail, and entrepreneurship. Her story isn’t about snacks—it’s about standing up for those who often go unseen and unheard. It’s about creating a seat at the table for everyone, with treats that everyone can enjoy.
Denise Woodard proves that you don’t need a background in food science or millions in the bank to change an industry. You need heart. You need grit. And you need a mission that means more than profit. Her journey is a shining example of what happens when love for family becomes love for community, and when bold ideas are matched with relentless action.
She is not just feeding people—she is feeding a movement.
Denise Woodard’s story doesn’t just stop at building a successful business—it unfolds into a living testament of how passion can fuel purpose, and how one mother’s love can ripple into societal change. What makes her journey even more inspiring is the fire she carries to lift others as she climbs. When she saw that food wasn’t inclusive, she didn’t just create a safer snack—she sparked a conversation about who gets left out, and why.
She could have stopped after getting her products into stores, but she chose to go deeper. Denise created pathways for other underestimated founders, especially women of color. She knows that representation matters, not just in boardrooms but on packaging, on shelves, and in the leadership behind brands. Her work is making the food industry more diverse, more thoughtful, and more aware.
Behind the scenes, Denise balances motherhood with the whirlwind of entrepreneurship. She takes business calls while packing school lunches. She’s the woman who jumps off a flight and heads straight to a product demo with the same energy she brings to bedtime stories. She wears both crowns—CEO and Mom—with grace, showing the world that you don’t have to choose between career and family—you can rewrite the rules and do both.
She also leads with vulnerability. Denise doesn’t hide the sleepless nights, the investor rejections, or the days where doubt creeps in. She shares her truth openly so that other dreamers feel seen and know that it’s okay to struggle—and that greatness often grows in the shadows of difficulty.
Every new product Partake releases isn’t just an addition to a snack line—it’s another promise kept. A promise that no child should feel left out at the birthday table. That a classroom can share without fear. That deliciousness doesn’t have to come with compromise.
Denise also redefines what success looks like. For her, it’s not just shelf space or revenue. Success is a child with allergies feeling safe. A parent feeling understood. A founder getting her first “yes” because someone like Denise paved the way. Her wins are communal. Her growth is shared.
She champions change in small bites that lead to big impact. From school initiatives teaching food allergy awareness to speaking at events that spotlight inclusive entrepreneurship, Denise uses every platform she steps on to uplift others. Her leadership style is quiet power—firm yet kind, fierce yet compassionate.
What’s next for Denise isn’t just more snacks—it’s a legacy. She is setting an example for a new generation of founders, mothers, dreamers, and doers. Her story reminds us that our challenges are often the birthplace of our biggest breakthroughs, and that businesses built with heart can change the world one cookie at a time.
Denise Woodard is not just an entrepreneur—she’s a builder of safer spaces, a warrior for inclusion, and a reminder that when one woman dares to act on love and courage, entire communities are transformed.
