Denise McGowan has been a part of Chicago's entertainment and events community for nearly 30 years with experience on-stage and behind the scenes.

As Director of Entertainment for Navy Pier, the # 1 entertainment attraction in the Midwest, she was the creative force behind and producer of all family programming including two in-house performance troupes, concerts, live stage productions, holiday programming and fireworks exhibitions developed during her tenure from the re-launch of the Pier in 1995 to her leaving in 2004.

Her innovative programming for families made Chicago a destination during the summer months but also during the off-season when critics wondered if people would visit a destination thought to be a summer-only attraction.

Because of her live performance background McGowan was tapped to host, "Event & Expo, Etc." a television show production by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority for cable access television. McGowan interviewed dozens of guests to pomoted the conventions, entertainment and events happening at McCormick Place and Navy Pier.

She served as the on-air spokesperson for Navy Pier on dozens of occasions for numerous television and radio appearances.

After resigning in 2004 she worked as a freelance event producer with a client roster that included the Art Institute of Chicago, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, the Emerald City Theater Company and Chicago Gateway Green.

She accepted the role of Executive Producer of the Green Tie Ball in 2007. In that capacity McGowan supervised production of this 3000+ person fundraiser, one of the most highly anticipated and media generating events of the Chicago social calendar. During pre-production, McGowan met Michelle Durpetti who quickly came on board as Associate Producer for Green Tie Ball XVI. The beneficiary of the event, Chicago Gateway Green, was so pleased with the success, McGowan's and Durpetti's services were secure for 2008 and, from this, McGowan Durpetti & Associates (MD&A) was born.

While at MD&A McGowan was instrumental in producing entertainment events for her clients including the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for the annual convention, family events for L. Woods, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, the Arlington Park Million gala and others in addition to the Green Tie Ball. She left MD&A in early 2010 to pursue other professional and personal opportunities.

In the 80's as manager and house emcee for the legendary nightclub Byfield's, she introduced "newcomers" including Ellen Degeneres, Julia Louis Dreyfuss and Kevin Nealon to Chicago audiences. She showcased established artists including Maureen McGovern and Mort Sahl and dozens of Chicago's finest entertainers many of whom have gone onto success in Hollywood as writers, producers and actors.

Now, 25 years after she retired from the stage, she has returned to produce and host Petterino's Monday Night Live, an impromptu showcase of Chicago's theatre and cabaret singing talent. Since its inception in September 2007 McGowan and co-host Beckie Menzie have welcomed talent from Chicago and around the country included cast members of top touring production, local, regional and national cabaret and jazz legends, Joseph Jefferson award winners and respected Chicago journalist John Callaway as well as numerous aspiring performers.