Denise Gram Porter was raised in North Carolina, attended UNC-Chapel Hill, and is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte, where she earned a degree in Psychology. The following year, Denise pursued and obtained a Masters’ degree in Accounting from NC State University.

Professionally, Denise spent 11 years in finance starting at a small technology firm, moving on to First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo where she finished her career as a Vice President of Corporate Client Banking, before becoming a full time stay-at-home mother in 2007. In 2021, she earned her Paralegal degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, and is a certified NC paralegal. Denise currently spends her time as a mom, a volunteer at her boys’ schools and a volunteer at the Council for Children’s Rights.

Denise was honored to be selected as an inaugural member of the Carolina Panthers TopCats in 1996 and cheered through the 2005 season. She was the first TopCat to cheer for 10 consecutive seasons. In 2001, she was selected by her teammates as TopCat of the Year, and was the Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl Cheerleader representative in 2002 in Hawaii. Her time as a TopCat is where she met her very best friends and also gained lifelong memories, from SuperBowl XXXVIII, bringing NFL Football to London, and participating in many charitable organizations.

Since hanging up her pom poms, Denise has continued to stay involved with the TopCats, first escorting special families to pregame as a Purrs Pals representative, to being a makeup artist for the TopCats for several seasons. In 2025, she proudly accepted the role of Board member of CPFCAA, where she is dedicated to giving back to an organization that means so much to her.

Outside of her love of dance and service, Denise enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve and their two boys, Dalton and Tucker.