Dr. Denise R. Ames' varied life experiences–teaching, scholarly research, personal experiences, extensive travels, and thoughtful reflections–have contributed to her balanced views and global perspectives. A veteran educator, she has taught at secondary schools, universities, a community college, adult educational programs, and professional development workshops.

She took her bachelor's degree in history education from Southern Illinois University, and master's degree and doctorate in history education with a focus in world history from Illinois State University. Her teaching topics range from academic subjects such as world history, global issues, United States history, Western Civilization, world humanities, cultural studies, and global business issues, to secondary social studies classes, pedagogy, and global education.

In 2003, Dr. Ames founded and continues to serve as president of an educational non-profit, Center for Global Awareness. She has infused a holistic approach, global perspectives, cross-cultural awareness, and balanced views into her eight books, numerous blogs, lesson plans, articles, newsletters, teaching units, and educational resources for the non-profit, its clients, educators, and students grade 9-university.

Dr. Ames has presented numerous classes, workshops, and lectures on holistic world history, the global economy, cross-cultural understanding, and global awareness locally, nationally, and internationally. Her eight books include: Waves of Global Change: A Holistic World History, 1st and 2nd Editions, Waves of Global Change: An Educator's Handbook for Teaching a Holistic World History, The Global Economy: Connecting the Roots of a Holistic System, Financial Literacy: Wall Street and How it Works, Connecting the Roots of the Global Economy: A Holistic Approach, Brief Edition, Human Rights: Towards a Global Values System, Five Worldviews: The Way We See the World, and Divided: Five Colliding Worldviews and How to Navigate Them.

World cultures and history have been Dr. Ames' life-long interest and study. Her extensive travels have taken her throughout the United States and to many international locations. Most of her travels have been education related and have served as research for her books and educational resources. Her destinations include (in order of most recent with year) Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark, Russia, Mexico (2017); Croatia, Greece, Italy, France, Belize (2016); Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar (2015); South Korea, Germany (2014); Germany (2013); China (2011); Turkey (2011); Mexico, (2010); Iran, Mexico (2007); Singapore, Malaysia (2006); Spain, France, Italy (2006); Syria, Lebanon, Costa Rica (2005); Costa Rica (2001); United Kingdom (2000); Israel, Palestine, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (1999); Russia (1998), Slovenia (1996); Caribbean Islands (1996); China, Hong Kong (1991), Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, former East Germany (1990); former Soviet Union, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova (1989); Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay (1988); Netherlands, Belgium (1983); and Canada (many times). She has also traveled throughout the United States.

Along with CGA's GATHER program and Global Awareness for Educators, Dr. Ames is developing a new program: TURN, Transformation, Understanding, & Reflection Network. TURN encourages life-long learners to see with new eyes, learn from the past, understand others, and recognize the relationship of all things. She teaches workshops/classes and writes about TURN's five topics: learning from the past, cross-cultural awareness, five worldviews, elder wisdom, and transformative travel.

Along with her educational achievements, Dr. Ames has owned her own small retail business for eight years, constructed and remodeled eight houses, and exhibited and trained Arabian horses. She has two adult children, their spouses, and three grandchildren. She particularly enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, reading, biking, gardening, visiting with family and friends, and interacting with her grandchildren. She currently resides with her partner Jim near the campus of the University of New Mexico in sunny Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.